We are just talking about total earnings potential for first year guys. Look at it how you want.

This is the theoretical answer.

This is the practical answer. I'm too lazy to pack bologna and kraft singles on wonder bread so I consume my per diem on the road. And tip van drivers. Some try to conserve it, so maybe they count it as income.

Every job I've ever had has included both reimbursed and unreimbursed expenses. We all have a sense of what our job expenses are in this industry, so trying to dissect what goes into any particular paycheck seems kind of silly. My pay is what gets deposited, no matter where it comes from. Calling some dollars by a different name means nothing except for what amounts to a very small amount of tax treatment.

Same same. All I care about is that gross number on the stub, then the take home.

People like to parse/mince it all, whatever.

I get compensated per flight house, and I get compensated for expenses incurred whilst away.

Thread drift somewhat….

​​​​​​…….at current prices, perdiem is pretty substandard nowadays.