1 Pay is correct, in fact you will likely make more if you do six day non outstation runs, or fly with an FO, etc.
2 SLC is filling up, lots of new faces, don't know about California.
3 You are likely not getting the metro because you don't even have enough time to get an ATP. Miami in the summer is probably the easiest time to transfer there (can't imagine why).
Hope that helps.