Essential roles such as a nuclear reactor plant operator should probably get equity in my book, since the entire company depends on their leadership much more.
You can't get done quicker if you are skilled or experienced.
True for the nuclear reactor example, untrue for the tech support example.
Salary is the same thing as paying per hour. You're still paying for someone's time, it is just sometimes a little more flexible. And you've missed the point of the tech support or the bus driver. They do the same thing as operations. They ARE on watch. They are tasked to do work as needed for a certain period of time. Those are tasks that require your time and that you aren't in control of the amount of work you will have to do. You can't get done quicker if you are skilled or experienced. You must spend a certain segment of time and hence why a time based system is necessary.
Sure, some things are task based and should be paid accordingly. A good example is when I was an auto mechanic. You get paid book time. Do it fast or slow, you get the same amount of money but if you do it fast, you can do more. Or you can go home early. Conversely, that wouldn't work when I was a nuclear reactor plant operator. I have to be there for a certain amount of time. I can't make power quicker and go home. I have to watch to see if anything tries to blow up.
Points taken.
I won't be paying per hour though.
