It was a pretty tough job market post 1989, a lot of companies did the right thing paid award wages, paid ground schools, didn't charge for endorsements, didn't have paid ICUS schemes and honoured the good old seniority system.
But then the bottom feeders come along, let people fly for free, expect people to instruct for free, under quote legitimate operators with the pilot flying for free even on government charters, dodgy endorsements, the old pay for ICUS scheme, dodgy night freight etc. But what makes you laugh these guys fly for free but then bitch that your mob won't give them a job and you patiently explain that the boss is actually laying people off due to your mob undercutting everyone-genius then goes, "i am happy to work for less than the award!"
A number of airline pilots have worked for free, to get those valauble hours, a large number have also worked for below award wage to get those magic 500 twin hours. Happily name a number but then the thread would get locked!