110% agree Bored!
However, I dont think 'market forces' will take years to impact salary increases - They already exist (not so for struggling bobble heads).
Also, your piont on CX, EK & SIA is true but the pressure may come from airline/s much closer to home. Yesterday the Australian Financial Reveiew reported private equity was sniffing around DJ and yes we've heard it all before, however I believe there to be a strong element of truth to this - They reported Asian interest & I wouldn't be suprised to see macqaurie bank involved either.
Regadless, who it is (if true - i'm looking at the glass 1/2 full) private equity will be positive for pilots. Many will say they're toe cutters but I think they have the smarts to know where to cut and where to pay up.