Poor example, then. I don't even know why I brought that point up, that wasn't what I was trying to highlight.. Perhaps the more relaxed nature of the time.
As a thought experiment how about we do this: A single route between Newark and Manhattan that makes 800 mil per trip.
Any objections?
As Corsair said, upping the current ones to 40 - 50 million would seem reasonable. Trading/smuggling is supposed to be the best way to make money, but bounty hunting and piracy currently easier and more pleasant than both of those things.