Great post Bambi and welcome to APC.
Just one minor correction, I don't know any U.S. major that has a first year salary of $60,000. UPS was a pathetic $27,000 last time I looked, hopefully it has gone up. USAirways was $36,000. Fedex and SWA were probably the two best with salary close to $50,000. This just makes your argument stronger.
I've said on other threads here that one has to look at the bottom line, not the top line when deciding on jobs overseas. Tax obvioulsy being a big item that effects the difference, but housing allowance is another biggy as well.
Typhoonpilot