I am only a 3 yr professional and have yet to fly for a major airline or in a jet at all. I am continuing on in my goal of a rewarding career in aviation on the assumption that we are in a low point in a cycle- the lowest point ever in aviation's history. I am counting on the fact that things will get better, and they will do so within 5 years. If not then I will most likely look for something else to do.
Having said that, viewing the conditions in Canada's large jet operators (there are not many) I am reluctant now to even bother setting any of them as a goal!
Air Canada and subsidiaries- poor morale and no esprit de corps, but good wages (to be made worse)
WestJet- excellent morale and decent compensation, but no international variety and stuck on one type "for life"
Jetsgo- Like westjet except minus the morale and compensation
Canjet- ditto
Zoom- one airplane
HMY- one airplane
First Air, Air North- nah
Cargo operators- night flight for life? I hope not.
I sound very negative, but I am not. In fact at least 3 of the companies mentioned would be very nice to work for, but all still rate a distant shot away from why I started. So for now, corporate aviation is my goal.
Corporate- good compensation, good morale in the right company, variety of domestic and international ops, variety of types, personal contact with customers, ability to be "more than just a seniority number".
Here's hoping.