Free markets do not destroy cartels, self interest does. In the long run individuals choose what is best for them and not the cartel.
What raises and drops salaries is elasticity. The more elastic your service, the less money you make. What determines elasticity, the number and closeness of substitute goods. In today's market there are a lot of pilots and airplanes not being used or are under utilized. Until those resources are maxed out, we are at current book value.
In order to make more money you need to provide a service that nobody else provides and find somebody that wants that service bad. Now you have the ability to demand your price. Then you are a monopoly.
Excellent post! However, I would point out that self interest and free markets are synonymous, as long as the government does not pick favorites, in which case you have economic fascism. Cheers! The Scab has spoken.