Interesting thread! A considerable amount of this generation of pilots are thinking like N747EX. And that includes myself...
I was made redundant in 2010 from a good UK career airline, I was lucky enough to have never been out of work but generally had a miserable time of it becoming ever disillusioned with the industry as a whole! Poor managers, poor rosters and the ever expanding attitude of "pilot bashing"!
I can totally relate to Clunk 1001 post #10, spot on!
Rather than quit, I decided to do the "Gap-Year" that I never had! I'm flying a 767 to places in the Far East based in The Maldives! I'm learning and seeing new things and loving the change and adventure of it all! Money is good and I'm enjoying myself again...
Just food for thought, its another angle on getting your passion for it all back, grabbing what this job and industry has to offer and it's stories to tell come retirement!