things were better 25 years ago, but I do work for darn good company. part of the problem is that upstart carriers cut costs by cutting standards of living for pilots (money, days off etc)...so our line had to cut to compete.
if you work for a crap carrier, fine...but you are part of the problem in pulling everyone else down.
I could have done slightly better, but I could have done much much worse.
so, I consider myself lucky.