Yes, this is how these folks get the airtime the need to do what they love. The problem is there is no other way to get hours in a specific aircraft...they are not just for rent at the local airport. These are the "dues" these pilots put in to get the hours they need move up. There is a real value to the hours as when you try and get your private ticket you will pay to rent the AC out of your pocket. The "pay" is horrible but the "avoidance" of privately renting a commercial airplane to get hours in is huge.

Crash pads are there kind of like corporate housing. I was talking to a mainline co pilot on a LAX-JFJ flight and he was telling me he was going to the crash pad near JFK so they are not just used by regional.