MangoP is correct ...pay more get more...
(there are exceptions to this)
but you rarely get a great pilot for crap wages.
Now, when the progressions were rapid from regional to big airline, you did try to fly right...you were weeks away from a pre employment sim check.
As far as the concept of market controlling pilot pay...then all you have to do is revoke the laws that prohibit all pilots from going on strike at the same time. We would get nice raises if we all walked out the week before Thanksgiving or Christmas here in the USA.