Living in IAH is my top priority. Can you speak more about affording it? Is the pay that much worse then others? I know they don't have the best reputation for being a high paid regional, but how much less is it really at the end of the day?[/QUOTE]

You live in IAH right now? Can you go anywhere else? I don't care where you go, but your asking for some input so I'll offer my .02.

$$ is very very important in life and especially this life and also all the other types of compensation available. Even if you live in IAH, I bet you need to be able to afford a car and its expenses( Maint, gas, tires, insurance, etc.)

What's the medical insurance coverage like? What's it cost? What are the deductibles? What is the total compensation package? Bonus, expenses paid? They pay for KCM? Global? All the little stuff adds up when you are making less than the Taco Cabana help. You incure expenses on the road, forgotten stuff, airport chow, etc. Are you being paid enough to afford them?

If IAH is your top priority, look at who is based there and what they offer. Can you live somewhere else?

Do you like to suffer? If so then live life making crap wages and be worried about every cent you can. Can you qualify for assistance of some sort? You like working a job where you gotta go seek assistance from the Government to live?

If you got someone else paying the bills, live life large and who cares, but if you gotta pay all your own bills....?

If Mesa is the only game in town and you want a play on their field, you gotta play their game, but short answer,
Yes, it really is that much less here than at other places at the end of the day.