QUOTE
a touch simplistic and a tad arrogant.
UNQUOTE
maybe.... (and sorry for the duff gen on Autumn vs Jan 2006. Slight slip of the keyboard).
My point remains: there are several alternatives, some of which you listed in your opening post. If you don't like any of those, you have several years to find another one, maybe outside this industry, which might involve a little time and financial commitment on your part. How many workers at other companies too numerous to mention have that luxury when a decision is made to rationalise, cost-cut or whatever you call it? If you don't want to or feel unable to take that opportunity, don't moan at what you end up with.
Nobody owes us a living!