There is also an odd mentality with a lot of airline pilots that they would not be seen dead in a small aircraft now they fly "proper" airacraft. Then a few years down the line they discover how dull flying a "proper" aircraft is (but to be fair they are very good at Suduko) and they went to get back to real flying so renew the ratings again.
I fly the big stuff, in my spare time I instruct for Ultimate High which has to be some of the most fun flying going. Most of the other instructors at UH are also airline pilots and like myself have kept their enthusiasm and SEP ratings going right the way through.
