True. And although I wouldn't do this every 6-12 months myself, I do interview a couple times a year just to keep my interviewing skills sharp because you're r

True. And although I wouldn't do this every 6-12 months myself, I do interview a couple times a year just to keep my interviewing skills sharp because you're right, everyone is an expendable at-will employee. I only escalate if I find out I could be making 25% more or greater by leaving for a desirable gig elsewhere. At that point, yep, I'm underpaid. Otherwise, I suspect you are overoptimizing one axis of employment potentially at the expense of the rest. That said, I've never been at a tech company where people have been promoted every 6 months. At best, every year, and more like biannually or worse. Finally, don't play games like this if you're not a superachiever. You will be shown the door. And while you can fool some of the employers all of the time, once you've hopped enough times, it starts being used against you in hiring. But I agree that one shouldn't get attached to any job, it could go away in an instant.