Will88:
I suppose flying around in circles in a 172 for hours on end is the kind of flying you do need to be proficient at during or after professional fight training?
Not every one does this, some make long cross country flights and experience marginal weather, structured hour building is far better than towing gliders. Anyway all this about stick and rudder skills being built up is great but it's no good if you can't find your way around.
Personally, given the option, I would do the job (if paid) for a while, then move onto something more interesting.
Asking guys to work for free in this field is just the same as when flying instructors had to instruct on low or no pay during the early 90's:
Shameful!