Romulus,
Had to reply to your post. I fly 744 for an overseas carrier (with some of the best T&C). I'm in BKK having just got back to the hotel after a great meal with crew and friends. I sat through the meal whilst someone told me how well I was paid, how wonderful my terms and conditions were and how much time off I have. To be honest, he was quite correct but I then explained what was really entailed.
For example, I've been away from home and family now for 13 days, back home in 3. In that time I've had 8 overnight sectors of 8 hours or more. (so that's 8 nights with minimal sleep in the last fortnight) and 5 sectors with a time change of 6+hrs. This kind of rotation is is typical of longhaul operations and leaves you completely shagged.
The point I'm trying to make is; the pay, terms and conditions may well appear very generous, but sit back and have a thought about the price you pay to achieve them. Sometimes it doesn't seem quite so great.
