Freight dog (turboprop) on European routes. Joined 10 years ago with 1hr on type, having been cabin crew (3,5 years) and flight dispatcher (5 years).
Captain upgrade after 4,5 years. Employee contract with all the frills (2/3 of retirement and Social Security contributions paid by the Company, as per local Employment law). Roster: 2 weeks (ie 4-5 nights) ON, 1 week Reserve (5 days) or airport SBY (4 days), then 1 guaranteed week OFF (8 days). Total between 8 and 12 nights of flying per month.
All week-ends OFF (sometimes positioning downroute on Sunday PM). 6 weeks paid holiday per year. Good standard of hotels downroute (4 stars plus). I can live wherever I want in Europe (provided I can reach my base in 10 hrs)... Reasonable block hours: under 500/year.
I haven't looked back since joining. As a package, nothing compares, either on ppjn or with agencies.
Cheers 