It takes some time (seniority) before you can earn   

And stays that way - 7/7; along with fairly stagnant pay. No one likes the idea of 'paying dues', but realistically it's done in some form at most careers. Spent 4 years at a regional (one year of that - during the initial covid hit - I chose not to fly at all). I'm now comfortable at a legacy. One month of reserve and a line holder since then with 15 days off/month. 

As of my June pay stub, I've earned $57,513 year to date on first year pay, which is routinely much lower across most airlines during your first, probationary year. Still not horrible money IMO. Second year pay increases about $50/flight hour - possibley even more pending a new contract. The 16% direct contribution into my 401k is also amazing once you start seeing it on each paycheck. 16% every paycheck...just because...

I also have the ability (in seniority order) to trade trips. I hate cold weather and last winter was able to trade almost every trip for warm weather destinations - deiced once last winter. As I type this, a trade came in for my next trip - currently on a 5-day off stretch. I traded primarly because the 4-day trip ends at 1000, I'll be home by 1130 on day 4 of my trip. The fact that day one ends at 1300 in PR doesn't hurt either - I can handle the afternoon on the beach courtesy of my employer. 

This career is definitely not for everyone - especially those that get comfortable with ok, and don't want to take the risk to go for better. But it seems like the loudest ones on here about the airlines are from that group - with ZERO personal experience.