You say
Just can't imagine anyone busting a gut to fly a geriatric B737-200 minus PDCS, minus FMC, minus auto-throttle and minus R Nav for peanuts.
I say get real.
There are many GA/regional airline pilots doing that right now, and also working for peanuts.
Many regional airline pilots (metro, B1900, Bandierante, Brasilia, Jetstream,...) today fly geriatric equipment without FMC, auto-throttle, RNAV...etc. Many don't even know what an auto-pilot is.
I am sure many would jump at the opportunity to fly a geriatric B737 compared to a geriatric metro.
Ozjet might even pay them a few more extra peanuts than they are now earning.