So? Why shouldn't we be paid for every duty hour? If I showed up for a trip tomorrow, and was informed that the pay would be per duty hour, and was told the pay rate would be reasonably adjusted less than the previous rate, I would be pretty excited about that. It'd be a step in the right direction. Should we not get paid when the door is open just because that's the way it's always been done? Maybe then, those surprise 16 hour duty days wouldn't be so insulting. (big maybe)

I just don't understand defending this position... It may not be realistic to expect the compensation standard to change any time soon; but to tout it so positively as you is nothing short of perplexing.