Your barking up the wrong tree pal. I play to have fun not max credits per hour. So tbh your board extra hoping generates no sympathy from me but rather a little pity at your obsession with doing something insanely boring for pretend money. But blaze your own trail, right...
Well I think begrudging losing 16% of your income (your calcs) while also asking for quid pro quo of a friendly faction is rather selfish and against the spirit of Mobius. We are a cooperative and help friendly commanders / factions. I remember when there were dozens of us endlessly ferrying travel ...
Most of the people who play Elite are in their 30's I think. This board has a very high average age, I believe as Tor said. I'd probably estimate around 45-55 years old. I was 20 when it came out but its not really my style.