Raytech- you're the last of a dying breed (and I mean that in a good way!) If the company is billing travel time for you to travel to a job, but not paying you because it's your first job, I don't think that's being fair to you. The same being true at the end of the day- I feel you deserve to be paid.

I don't think the company could get away with that setup here in the US. I don't think any tech here would agree to it either. Kudos to you being a loyal employee & working with your employer to a common goal- customer satisfaction.

As far as the rates today- you're right- they can't last long.