Originally Posted by Sliceback

The value you gain by getting hired by a major airline sooner outweighs the value lost waiting to cash in on your retirement checks. And if you earn enough points you can get a retirement check prior to 60.

As a reservist you can do about 75-90% of what the active duty guy does. You just get to pick and choose if you want to do it. He can't do 1% of your airline career for 20 years. At that point you're 15+ years into your airline career and he's getting a retirement check. His pay, including his retirement check, is less than you're pulling in. He should close the gap but will never match your pay. With his retirement check he might, but probably won't, exceed your airline pay. Add the money up over the entire career and you'll be ahead.