Matt777
What your saying is what many others say, its been tossed back and forth many times on this and other forums, and in a perfect world we all would make a competitive wage. (I believe that's been tried somewhere else)
But in reality, there are those that need or want the job bad enough to make the personal sacrifice, take the low pay and do with what they have.
Its also a reality that your friends will probably have those total hours and turbine PIC time long before you.
Your choice is your reality
I won't say whether its right or wrong, it is... just the way it is