Depone says
In fact, many pilots who complain are just guys who got into the wrong career
This is the very point of the thread, it is too late to complain
after the money is spent and there are a fair few unhappy people around who only realise that being a pilot is not quite what they thought it would be once they have been on line for a year or two and know a bit more more about the industry.
Some of the happier guys/gals are the ones who were already in the industry doing ground jobs etc, and knew the job for what it is, before they made the investment. (amazingly, it didn't put them off!)
It was less likely for a pilot to remain in the wrong career long a few years ago as many pilots had plenty of time flying instructing in a puddle jumper, flying turboprops, or flying for the queen and had ample opportunity and time to mull it over and to call it a day if they didn't enjoy it before getting into a career airline.
It is also still possible to have a very pleasant day out (with the right crew), the rigid, presciptive SOPs,OFDM requirements, fuel leagues and management harassment haven't
quite killed off the fun, but they sure are trying to!
ps. hand flying is not discouraged at my airline, but most guys are reluctant to trigger any OFDM events so they don't handfly that much.