That just about sums up why this profession is in shambles.

For a guy who wants to do it RIGHT, you really are considering doing all of the things that are WRONG.

Paying for training and experience that will get you an airline job is WRONG.

Only being worried about PIC time is WRONG. You should get paid a fair wage for the work that you do. The market determines what that is, but right now there are too many that think that "just getting the foot in the door" will help out your career prospects. The problem is that too many people think that way now, and the career is dying.