Plenty of guys working in ryr part time, 13 off 5 on and still flying 800+ hours.
That would be possible, and perhaps desirable, for 'self-employees'. However, I was the victim of that attitude as an employee, non-union. 50% pay for 65% productivity. The advent of a union made it more honest. 50/50. Let's hope the contractor has a nice winter sun escape to enjoy, recover and spend the money.