I think its fair to say that whatever airline you start with there is likely to be some sh#t you have to put up with. You can argue this all day and night, but when all is said, if you get into Thomson and if they eventually offer a FT contract and they survive the economic gloom, then you will have one of (note the "one of") the best jobs around. Career structure, decent terms, variety etc.. There will always be doubts and temptations to go elsewhere, but after 10 years or so they'll disappear too as a command looms. And, you can stay in the UK! What more convincing do you need. All I can tell you is the contract boys we have this year are all praying that they get offered a contract to come back next year and something permanent in the future, which they will get assuming we survive. Good luck.
added:
ps anyone thinking about working outside Europe should take a look at the 1st post on this thread and the OP's comment further down, horrific stuff.
http://www.pprune.org/tech-log/49415...eded-a320.html