GS (Gov't) or Major?
 

Any thoughts on a GS13 vs a Major career?

Job security, higher initial pay, retirement, QoL

Higher cumulative pay, better matching, better flying opportunities

Comes down to 'slow and steady wins the race' or 'go for it' attitudes for me.

Its all about timing. If you get on with a Major airline young enough, go for it. If you're in your 40's and looking at a 12 year upgrade, GS.

If the GS job is in the city you want to live in, that'd be a huge plus for me. It would also have to be reasonably interesting work. Historically, the GS job probably had more job security, but thats not necessarily the case anymore. That's what has attracted a lot of people to it...less risk, but that can also mean less potential reward.

Do you have a job offer for either/both? Do you have a desire to be an Airline pilot? If not, I'll tell you just my experience. I do have a desire to be an airline pilot and I'm pretty burned out on all of the work and money I've put in to this job search. I'm also dreading first year pay, though we have some plans to help mitigate it.

I look at it this way (by the way I don't have a job yet so take my advice through a filter). There is an opportunity to get on at the front of a wave. If you don't like it or get furloughed or whatever you can always look at other options (like a GS job). If you go with the GS job and change your mind you'd be much farther down a seniority list if hired at an airline, and they might not be hiring anymore when you do change your mind.

The other thing for me, and this is just me, I really don't like the idea of working for the government. I do it now in the Air Force but I have no desire to do so as a civilian.

I think the obvious issue is the higher risk with the major airline, things like mergers and bankruptcies are more possible and there's always the threat of losing your medical. The thing about a GS career is that the benefits are pretty good, you're treated pretty darn fair in a bargaining unit position and you are able to put away a good deal of leave and money for retirement. Realize that with locality and a little per diem, the GS13 starts pretty close to 100K, if you get promoted, another 15K on top. Looking at the pay scales and charts, you definitely won't top out at major airline captain pay, but there are many benefits too, working more than 8hrs is "normal" for an airline pilot. Working over 8hrs (or 40 workweek) as a GS is usually either comp or overtime. Comp time is great. In short, it's nice to not be treated like dirt, as has happened previously at other jobs. It's easier to maintain a healthy lifestyle and normal circadian rhythm. Those last parts are some of the most important to me.

I left a GS14.5 flying job worth about $150k to join FDX. Any other airline I would not have done it. Did I make the right choice????...so far so good but ask me in 5-10-15 years and who knows. My main justification was upward movement on the pay scale. GS jobs have a defined limit that you will never exceed. That limit is really close to a lower paid captain seat at a 121 operation but far less than some of the higher pay majors such as SWA and FDX. I personally took the job that gave me the most days off per month...equal or better pay was a secondary benefit. At the GS job I was at my desk 5 days a week unless on a flight....that got boring to me real quick. Good luck.

Basically, the question is "much better job security" over "lesser job security"

With that said, evaluate LOCATION of job also.

Also, where is the GS job ? FAA ? Customs/CBP ? If law enforcement, you get LEAP/AUO with is 25% above and beyond your GS pay. Plus possibly a "take home" car (only you can be in it) with take-home fuel card depending on local policies and regs. So those dudes are making 120K in salary alone.

If it was "[INSERT EMPLOYER] job in my hometown or wifes hometown", I would be hard pressed to say no. GS or airline