I left a GS14.5 flying job worth about $150k to join FDX. Any other airline I would not have done it. Did I make the right choice????...so far so good but ask me in 5-10-15 years and who knows. My main justification was upward movement on the pay scale. GS jobs have a defined limit that you will never exceed. That limit is really close to a lower paid captain seat at a 121 operation but far less than some of the higher pay majors such as SWA and FDX. I personally took the job that gave me the most days off per month...equal or better pay was a secondary benefit. At the GS job I was at my desk 5 days a week unless on a flight....that got boring to me real quick. Good luck.