Might want to re-check your numbers, air Wisconsin FO pay has been above $22 since at least 2003. Secondly, 5 years ago if i wanted to buy the house I’m in, on airline FO wages, I could of afforded it, now it would take CA rates to even qualify to buy the same house with the rapid increase in the price of housing. Not sure if you know this but the price of housing has gone up significantly. If one were to take the bonus and put 100% of It towards the down payment of the exact same house as 5 years ago the payment would still be a higher percentage of the FOS income. Just looking through houses and condos for sale near Chicago, several that are in the 250-350k range sold 5-10 years ago for 100-150k less. Prices now are higher than the 2008 bubble.