Originally Posted by
flyprdu
The OP said he had 35+ years to go. 30 years old is young enough, even with a family, to make a move.
Thinking you're "too old" to make big moves is why people stay at Alaska in the first place.
Big thing is cost of living. Say I move my family to Bay Area…no way we get something comparable to what we have here. Especially with rates now. Another $1000 a month in housing at least. Plus high utilities. Higher gas prices to commute 2-3 hours to SFO since that’s all we could afford.
Another big one is Cali state income tax. Factor 10%. At top end United 737 pay, take home would actually be less than top end 737 Alaska pay.
Or I commute for 35 years. Not sure I’d enjoy that with a young family. Say United has 4 days more off a month. I’d eat a few of those in commuting. Doesn’t exactly seem worth it. Tough decisions.