Fong..you spent so much time on this post that it would seem you are trying to convince yourself more than others.
yep. That was pretty much my immediate thought.
Most of the "positive" types are merely self-justifying because - especially if they have a family - they have no choice. They're trapped, and they know it, and EK knows it. So to cope they go to their happy place. If you catch them in their more honest moments, the vast majority I've spoke to admit they'd rather be somewhere else "but, y'know, the wife and kids...".
I certainly wouldn't join if I had a family. That FO wage won't go far and you'll be on it for a long time now. If you're single and unemployed, maybe. But even then you better have a massive tolerance for stupidity.