Off the back of the DIT thread...
There's nothing wrong with being a camera operator but every single posted advert involving camera on the likes of Mandy.com or productionbase or Film and TV Pro all say they want a 'DoP' or 'experienced Cinematographer', usually with their own gear and they then go on to advertise the rate as 'near national minimum wage' or unpaid.
Not to mention half the jobs will be something along the lines of events filming where you have zero say or control of the environment/lighting and are just there to press record.
I know it's really just one large question of semantics but to my mind is a massive distinction a camera operator and a DoP and the world would be a better place if people (both shooters AND people looking for crews) used them properly.
And anyone who says a) 'unpaid but will lead to loads of paid jobs' or b) 'It will look great on your showreel' should be named and shamed.