You're right that we are slave to the ek 'global domination' cause. Most knew that when they joined. I don't think we can always compare captains with captains. Across the board it's probably better to compare conditions with time in the job. In my case I should be looking at what I could be earning in QF, AF or CX after ten years with the company. The wide body command really doesn't mean much except as a necessary wage step. It does give you the chance to go to a contract position or an LCC but that would mean sacrificing better conditions.
The only way to an Air France command, for example, is starting again at the bottom.