Gimblestop
Interesting comment regarding pilots being indispensible and the likelihood of finding pilots who will do the job for free.
Maybe you ought to think about the customers who entrust their lives to the pilots (and engineers) working for any operator. Sure, you could find any idiot willing to fly your helicopters for very little reward, but I wouldn't want to be in one with them.
You also mentioned "voting with your feet". This is something that customers are doing more of when they become unhappy with the quality and, more importantly, the safety of the service being offered to them.
While I don't condone anybody walking out on a job and leaving unpaid bills behind, if the company concerned rewards its workers suitably for their capability and dedication it would prevent the rot which is setting in at the moment.