The good things:
The view - stunning.
The people, you meet so many.
The sensation.
The responsibility.
The sense of achievement, both of getting the job and that every day you do something useful.
The travel to wonderful places.
The travel to less wonderful places (makes you realise how lucky you really are).
The money (better than my "normal" mates).
The pride.
Days off that aren't when everybody else has them.
Days where you get half of it at home and it counts as a days work.
The fun downroute (it's what you make it).
Everything being in reach - no need to have to wander about the office trying to find something.
Ability to buy truly different Christmas and Birthday pressies downroute.
The fact that landing an aeroplane is just great fun and you have to do it every time you go to work.
The downsides:
1. If you can only see to the end of your own nose you will not realise how lucky you are.
2. You have to work unsocial hours.
3. You cannot guarantee you will be home on a given day.
4. People moan.
5. You will get tired.
6. It costs a lot if you are self sponsored.
Numbers 1, 4 and 5 are universal with decent jobs, so really its only 2, 3 and 6 you have to worry about.
I just cannot agree with the people who say we work too hard for too little pay, unless of course they are a flying instructor or work at a dodgy company.