Gday Maudlin,
Yes I agree that opportunity or lack there of certainly makes a difference.
My comment was in regard to another poster remarking that if one wanted to be a professional pilot then to stay away from "the east coast operator".
I too have mates in the situation you speak of, and have felt a similar fate myself at times. However, you yourself as an experienced R/W pilot would know that sometimes you must create the opportunities. R/W is an even harder field of play than F/W.
Too many guys sit around waiting for it all to be handed to them. This business is too hard and too competitive to WAIT for it all to happen. You have to be in COMMAND of your career and the choices you make. It wont just happen for you.
Maudlin, you are making it happen, changing paths etc. Good luck to you with the fixed wing endeavors. You will love the C208
Cheers,
Con