[stkni]

Yep, I made the same realization as the OP in that changing things to any large extent required being part of the management. I got my break 10 years ago then 6 months after that I quit to go and work overseas to be with my wife & family.

Turns out being a programmer is a very portable skill, and good ones get paid well. Life isn't so bad.

I imagine if I'd spent the last 10 years in management I probably wouldn't have changed jobs and be just as frustrated, just in a different way.

But let's not get carried away here, the OP (and I) might have been pretty poor management material after all.