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Speaking from Canada, and not having worked at a flight school or VFR operator for some time.....I'll pipe in anyway.
In my experience we have never used a pilot to move a machine unless they were on the payroll, in some capacity or another.
1. As far as the CPL standard being enough, reality has proven that the regulator's standard for a CPL is less than what any operator I have worked for expects as a minimum for a line pilot. Additional coaching and training was always given, and the company check ride had a higher minimum standard of performance.
2. An operator actually so short of staff it cannot move a machine would give me goose-bumps.
3. The odds of things going badly are slim, but not nearly slim enough to take chances. Be very sure of where you stand legally, your family is depending on you.
4. Never compromise your own principles, once it happens, they are never the same again.
I've got a reasonable amount of time now, nut I remember well the feeling of being too short of experience to get the next job/promotion. I and most of the pilots I work with have taken every opportunity we can to offer chances for the up-and-comers to build time. I can see why you would take the trip, and would not begrudge you your decison in this or any other situation, just be careful.