It is called "supply and demand" mirifly, and NOT likely to change anytime soon, five years give or take.
Just because YOU went out and obtained your professional ratings, and your timing was lousy, does NOT mean that the airline world owes you a generous living.
And, as the MD83 is not a high capacity wide-body type, it will not attract the higher expat salaries.
Welcome to the REAL world.
PS: Some of the recently furloughed Continental pilots have personally told me that they do not expect to be recalled for six to seven years. As they are experienced in type we are likely to say...welcome aboard.