Yes, you're getting paid for the lifestyle. For some people the lifestyle is a good thing, I prefer to mix the schedule up a little. I like weekends with the family, but sometimes it's nice to be off M - Th so I can chill and get things done without fighting the mongol hoards at the shopping center. My wife enjoys some space too.

Sleep cycle you can manage by bidding for that, if it's a priority.

Environmental exposure is the same as FA's, but less than rampers and plenty of workers in other industries. Few of them get paid what we do.

I don't think industry leaders consciously decided to pay DL WB CA's $1M per year just to keep the commuter pilots motivated. I do agree they're happy to take advantage of the situation