I find it interesting that you completely omitted Part 135 charter and Part 91 corporate flying as alternatives. I *entered* the 135 charter biz as a contract pilot on the Gulfstream IV, work 10 days a month at $1,000/day.The 91 jobs are even better. I know many people who fly the same amount I do but don't have to pay for their own training or benefits. In this segment of the industry, if you change jobs, you don't go back to "square one".
It's truly beyond me why anyone would want to work for an airline.
-- Ron Rapp, January 25, 2014