For instance, I see people here refer to customers as "punters". What do you, the great sky gods mean by that?
Arnold, certainly in my book "punters" is not derogatory. I first heard it used by a bunch of NT tour guides who were discussing how to give their punters the maximum possible enjoyment on their tour. I use it to describe my scenic flight passengers and my aim is to always give my punters the best value I possibly can. Invariably most of my punters are really nice folk as well.
But back to the topic, the best years in GA seem to have passed, I count myself lucky to have seen some. Never made the airlines. Quitting commercial flying is always on my mind. I have already done it once, then got dragged back, only to remember why I gave it up the first time.