Eagle's already exploring an ab initio program...

I would have to concur with Rick's opinion and this generally true across the board. The major corporation I work for does this as a matter of routine- they won't give anyone a decent cost of living increase, maybe 2%; nor a raise if they can help it, despite record profits. But you can count on one or more performance bonuses every year at raise time. It's all about not having to commit to anything. There are hard working folks at my office who have not received a raise for years despite having been there for decades. It's disgusting but it shows you what the game is about. It also tells you the only way to get ahead is to renegotiate your salary by hopping to another company every so often.

Funny, I tried that and ended up at the bottom of the scale again.:D

Well, most every other industry will award you for your experience though, including in aviation.

It's tricky, since aviation is always seniority based and you don't want to lose your position on the list. In corporate jobs it's normal to carry your experience level from position to position and use that to negotiate the salary. In aviation, if you are not very high in seniority then there would be more potential advantage to hopping to higher paying companies than at some point later on when you get high on the list. I have heard of pilots doing it, though.

Correct. Type-specific training is almost universally provided by all airlines (except SWA and GIA). At most places you get paid (a little) while doing new-hire training.