It is as simple as this guys and girls.
As wrong as it is, it has always been this way and always will be and with the huge over supply of drivers which is probably at it's worst ever, and is likely to stay that way.
The aviation industry is dying. Unfortunately, most of us will probably still be working for the same ****ty conditions years from now.
At the last company I work for up north, we had a never ending amount of 19 yr. old rich kids from Syd. and Melb. offering the boss to work for free. Even though we were all paid at least 25% below the award, the boss would try and make us feel guilty for being paid at all.
The company I now work for are great. The pay is still 15% below the award but the boss is great. A carton of beer randomly turns up next to my car every month or two. Called me in to work the other week, took me out for lunch, prawns and coldies, and he picked up the bill.
However, I am now seriously considering a career change. Don't want to be a "pesso", but I think the dream is over.