It's a marvellous experience because you get to experience "other ways" of skinning the cat.
In my opinion the varied experience of someone who has been contracting is invaluable when you compare it to someone who has had exposure to only 1 company.
Having said that, I went to TUI ( Thomson) for an interview, as a TUI ( not UK Trng Cptn on a contract) and they treated me like sh1t.
I left the interview ready to lay out the clown who was interviewing me, and the much beloved Gronya, the trick cyclist - "Did you think about renting the simulator?" "No because I'm doing 110hrs month teaching your pilots!" - God / Allah bless her.
Contract, get the experience, enjoy.