Left HAA... job is less motivating but life is better  

Making over $100K.  Mon-Fri office hours.  Less stress.  Normal circadian rhythms.  No stupid management.  Get to go to ALL of my kids' events now.  Wife happier I'm around more than half the year, I get to be at the kids events as a family, and home EVERY weekend.  Better health plan and benefits (which is a sad commentary of HAA companies).

A friend commented I don't have the same "spring in my step" as I'm certainly sad not being in the community anymore.  I do miss the 15-25% of flights that really mattered, flying through class B, landing in cool places, taking naps at work, free time to do whatever during weather days, etc.  Some medcrew and mechanics were actually really great to be around too.  

But... to not have to worry about the bills (since I don't have a military retirement) or having to sacrifice more time away from the family like a slave just to make up for the low pay in order to pay the bills (see the "reward the hard worker" threads on this forum) is SERIOUS peace of mind.  One sincere less stressor that I can tell is adding years back to my life.  After 20 years of flying to only get paid the various entry level pay HAA makes was such a joke.  I flew other jobs that actually paid for your experience and wisdom but I'm not in a season to take those jobs now.

For now, the office-gig is certainly worth the cost to my ego.  I'll take better pay, benefits, schedule for the sake of my family so I'll have a family I can enjoy in retirement. 

To those who are in a season who can enjoy the current conditions offered by HAA, then hats off to you.  Enjoy every minute of it.  Especially to those of you who may fly for higher paying programs.

For those still questioning what they're doing, don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone for the sake of your family.  At the rate things are going and the younger generation that doesn't look very hopeful to fill jobs in the future I'm sure HAA will take you back one day if the season is right.