OP, you seem like a smart, educated guy. The answer to your question is obvious. We get paid the way we do because we are willing to show up for what is offered.

In your case that's a guarantee of 76 hours a month at $24 an hour, -- or $1824 a month or $21,888 a year. Kind of makes you a little sick thinking about it that way. All of that education and money spent of flight training for that level of compensation.