As a new hire at NWA at age 35, I chased the highest paying job I could hold to get my Final Average Earnings up as high as I could for Retirement purposes. (We know how that worked out, although I am lucky to have some left) As a result, I commuted and was junior my entire career. Worst thing I ever did. Having been retired now for 18 months, I can tell you, never swap time with your family over big airplanes, cool destinations or a higher paycheck. Just saying!