That's what I was trying to say. A contract guarantees work rules and conditions. It doesn't prevent crappy chief pilots, co-workers that you want to strangle, aircraft that have a million deferrals etc. All of those things do however effect your personal morale though. So to say having a contract means having a a job that you find satisfying on all levels is hardly the truth. Yes, having union protection is great and it keeps companies from just firing you with out reason. With some corp jobs that is a valid concern. There are plenty of corp jobs out there that are just as stable as any other job.
People tend to get hung up on job stability and security. The days of going to one job as a young lad, putting in your 30 years, and cashing out a fat company retirement are long gone, in any industry not just flying. People will have to self fund retirement and take care of themselves first. The times when companies did the right thing by their employees are gone as well. The job I have now could be a retirement job, but I can't bank on that. If for some reason it goes away tomorrow I'll be pissed, but I'll do what I need to do to make ends meet and try to find the next job. Just like I did when xjt decided myself and 300 of my co-workers were no longer needed. Jobs come and go, good ones and bad, I just choose not to dwell on it so much it effects me.
Sorry for the rambling. Hope that makes sense.