back of the napkin math for MMG -

stay at PSA for 1.5 years (sign on bonus & current forced upgrade) = $71,120

upgrade at 1.5 years, with another 3 months of FO pay while upgrading and one retention bonus payment gives rolling totals of (not exactly how it would be but close enough for this exercise)-

1. 159420 end of yr 3
2. 225120 end of yr 4
3. 292620 end of yr 5

Switch to Endeavor at 1.5 years, spend 6 months as an FO then upgrade to CA, sign on bonus minus repayment of 6 months of sign on bonus from PSA, all on 200 pay

1. 124470 end of year 3
2. 201780 end of year 4
3. 282780 end of year 5

You wouldn't be that far behind on base pay making a lateral move.

While PSA rates are not super horrible its the bonuses that pump it up and the soft pay rules that hurt us the most.

9E is 4hrs min day, 5hrs on a a 5 day - 100% DH and open time is 150/200%.

I don't remember the language exactly and not going to bother looking it up - at 9E if you elect to let PBS give you more than 84 hours you automagically (yes, automagically - no submitting claims on the third blue moon of the year or you are forever ****ed out of pay...) get premium pay (don't remember what that rate is...but I would guess 150 otherwise people wouldn't do it and just pick open time)

With the soft pay rules you will easily surpass PSA earnings, even with a lateral move. With reserve grid manipulation its near impossible to earn critical pay which only equals normal premium pay at 9E and premium pay of 125% is based on the lowest credit day of all your trips in a month or some ridiculous screw you over type language that is so convoluted that I've never even bothered picking up open time