411a
God, I wish you'd posted those wise words 4 years ago. If you had, I might have avoided being reeled in myself. Giving up a good jet command to foolishly fly in the right seat for 3 years. Time wasted in the right seat learning from guys in the left seat. Learning new SOP's, completely new destinations and routes, unique Company culture, new Aircraft type. Why didn't I just stay with my old Airline, flying the same routes for the next 20 years as i'd flown for the first 20, with the same people on the same aircraft reporting to the same !!!!ty little crewroom day after day with plot change after plot change. Crappy weather, crappy rosters and when I wasn't flying, crappy staff travel crammed into crappy seats with crappy passengers. Did I mention how crappy it became at my old Airline? It's even worse now apparently.
Well, I guess it's because I wanted to better myself and better the life of my family. And do you know what. I have! As have many others here so please save your archaic views on never giving up the left seat for your lectures in the old peoples home. Most of us knew the risks and were prepared to take them. Sure, some have been unlucky but the majority have done well. My view now from the left seat is even more rewarding than before.
As I was just saying to my wife the other day, sat in First, " Darling, we really should take the boat out more often". Not quite sure who the suckers are, but it ain't me pal!