Strafer,
How would you like to be doing a job working for "x" company and you are happy with the conditions. Then "y" company buys "x" company and totally changes every thing. Rosters non existant, massive disruptions to your day nearly every day, wait months to get your expenses and now have doubt over your very job's existance? If you think roster disruptions and being thought of as a "liability" is fun, then feel free to jump right in.
The job AND the industry has changed significantly over the past 5 years. It ISN'T the industry I joined over 10 years ago.
However, I have spent far too much money requalifying myself in another country and the country I am now in won't recognise my former qualifications.
What some of us are trying to do is give you guys looking in an idea of what it is like RIGHT now. Not what it was like 5 years ago or even 10 years ago.
Some of us are even trying to change the conditions within our own companies at our own personal risk. I am not one that whinges and does nothing.
Know your terms and conditions and don't trade them for any thing. It's important to be flexible but not weak. Big difference.
I know we all dream of flying a nice shiny jet. Check out the turboprop pay and see if you can live on that. That is a reality for many of us.