Denti, you're right that the companies with lists are typically paying more than those without. That's the point - if they didn't have the lists, then those in the lower paying companies would be more mobile and vote with their feet. Those companies would have to up their terms to retain their staff, and the legacies would ultimately go up to to stay ahead. It's about making market forces work for the pilots, not the companies.
Mach, your experience makes your position all the more puzzling to me. I can see the case for rewarding loyalty (shame insurance and home energy companies don't, hey?), but I don't see why airline pilots should be the one profession which should be punished for not being lucky with their first job position giving them a cushy and safe career. A little more migration might do wonders for safety, too, spreading benefits from each airlines' best operating practices around.