How is a single person indicative of a whole program? So I wouldn't say you're "ambivalent" about it. It sounds more like you've got (another) axe to grind.
I have worked in industries other than aviation and telecommuting is prevalent everywhere! It is far from some easy bludge job, it requires discipline and often sacrifice of your own time as you might be interacting with people well outside of the hours a normal working person might encounter. If a lecturer in Sydney has a morning lecture and a night tute they might work 9:00 to 19:30. If someone in WA is giving the same lecture in Sydney during daylight savings time then they are commencing work at 06:00 local time.
Academic salaries are public record in Australia , no secret really
Speaking of public record, I'm sure there are many PPRUNER's that cannot wait for the day you get publicly named after someone slaps you with a defamation suit, because you my "friend" have pretty much already committed career suicide.
