Mr Gammon Flaps, a very honest and what I believe to be realistic view of working for a Flag Carrier airline. I was fortunate a few years ago to be be employed by another flag carrier, the pay was fantastic but the lifestyle sucked big time. I took a big risk and joined a UK based leisure airline, ok I was lucky to get a direct entry command so the financial hit was not quite as painful as it could have been, however my quality of life shot up. I am now home very night do not work anywhere near as hard as I used to.
Its horses for courses, if you are young enough to enjoy a full career with an EU flag carrier then the job security and income are probably second to none, for someone that is joining later in life it can really have its drawbacks, particularly when it comes to family life / being away from home.