Hughey wrote: "The idea of working for nothing, no pay just to build hours. I mentioned this to my instructor who said, "I would be viewed as scum", or words to that affect."
I would not consider you scum. I would view you as a person willing to do what it takes to realize a dream.
I often work for free. I often give seminars, write papers, and provide training without compensation to pilots who could not otherwise afford my services. Most do no consider me scum for doing so.