I worked for 1 1/2 years at IBM Federal Systems in Maryland as an intern
on the "New Super Duper Aire Traffic Control System" that never materialized
back in the early 90's.
What I saw (generally speaking) was a vast number of career federal contract employees
who made a lot of money, generally were frustrated and didn't like their jobs
or prospects, but wouldn't leave because the money was too good.
Nobody but 2 critical specialist in my department saw this being their future.
(2 folks were very valuable mathematicians doing reliability modelling and had
developed their own methods - very impressive - they lived the stuff
and were doing exactyl what they wanted to do.)
The rest just saw this as another 2-4 years of work until they could find
something meaningful. . . .

I don't want that. I really don't. Now I'm a bit scared!
I'm just old enough to be "senior" level, and just old enough
to not be considered for positions where the person is "developed".
And, many say "You've done great, but you just haven't worked in
our area, so your experience isn't specific enough . . .blah blah blah.:

I'm going to kick some of these folks ass (figuratively speaking) when
I find my next job "that I really want".
And I really want it to be aviation-related.
(So I guess I have to take a cut in pay, eh?) Ha!