Of course there are two alternatives: you earn as little as 100K a year, or push out AMT starting point to 500K.
Why does one have to hate AMT if he is "able" to pay? Bottom line is, one would rather pay the AMT with something left than not paying because of tiny AGI that leaves nothing left.
That is the game of this country right now, you may not like it, but better play with it.
As for the AMT triggered by options, companies had upgraded the policy to reduce that possiblity by withholding portion of the total offering.
So let's put it possitively: Congratulations on paying AMT!