The article's math is a "worst case" scenario and, even at that, is not until the pay tops out in 2026.
They are assuming that all four pilots have 12 years on property. That is certainly not always, or even usually, the case. United is putting new-hires in the 777 and 787 who would be on first year pay, not twelfth. It's also assuming a flight time over 17 hours, of which, there are few examples.
Flying a 777 half way around the world is an expensive undertaking.