I have just recently joined AirBerlin, and I must say that i am very positively surprised. Alot of Germans have a negative view on AB but they are clearly not well informed. The pay is ok, but you have to work hard for it.
The pay about the same a Germania, the advantage of Germania is a profitshare. That can amount to 10.000 (have even heard 20.000) DM. But The impression i have of Ab is that it is all well arranged and has better future prospects. They recently gave a 2% payrise and a bonus, in these times very good news.
As for the 737-800 with winglets, well it had to grow on me but now i love the winglets;-)
Grtz D.