the million dollar value at CBP or these other govt flying jobs (FAA, FBI, etc) is not in the salary. It is in the TSP (govt 401k) at the end, in the ability to retire at age 50 (assuming you have 25 years), and in the FEHB Federal Employee Health Benefits, which stop only after you are declared dead, and cremated (or buried six feet under). Then they stop.

ask the airline boys about their heath insurance plan after retirement.....

this thread, and the airline industry, is like the West Texas oil field. when times are good, everyone is driving dually Powerstroke pickup trucks and has a fresh trophy wife. When times are rough, folks are bankrupt and the truck is for sale.

the real "play" here is get hired at CBP etc, retire w/pension at 50, and go to the airlines as a "retirement gig" / "part time job"