How many large-cabin PIC jobs paying $300k+ base salary exist outside of the high cost of living locales of the Bay Area, SoCal and the I95 corridor?
If one considers a 16% defined contribution (soon to be 17-18% for UAL/DAL/AAL) even at narrowbody rates vs. a 6% 401k match, it doesn't take long for the difference in retirement to be significant. Of course there's total compensation to think of when doing a comparison - health care plan coverage/premiums/copays, bonus, profit sharing, vacation, stock grants, etc.