Back in the 'golden' old days, 1000 hours probably meant you were blasting around in a clapped out twin engine piston powered spam can, or if you were really lucky you were sat in a knackered oily old turbo prop! Ether way you were probably lugging your own cargo or briefing the pax personally. FTL, what were those?
Andrew7, you are not working for a career airline. Get what you can out of it, like a 3000 hour command, and then poke off as soon as a better offer comes along (like the older more experienced captains you speak of are doing!). That's how it is. Not quite the rose tinted industry the media and flight schools had you believe but you are doing something you should be able to get at least some enjoyment out of, and if not then why continue doing it at all?
Just please, don't become one of these bloody old moaners that I come across from time to time!