dns similar situation as you.. although 9 years and first time be able to live a little more comfortably. ie no nightstopping and I do all the more unpopular there and backs as I get roster stablity.
I`ve worked for other airlines and not proud to say when with BM back in the 1980`s I lived with grandparents on state pension in London as based at LHR. I had to live off them, the money was so bad. No I didn`t go out on Sat nights clubbing it.