The following is an example of how a reporter can actually make more money by using a scopist:

Day 1

Reporter A (with scopist)           Reporter B (without scopist)

Appearance Fee:  $75                Appearance Fee:  $75

200 pgs. @ $2:  $400                 200 pgs. @ $2:  $400

They each make $475 for that day.

Day 2

Reporter A (with scopist)           Reporter B (without scopist)

Appearance Fee:  $75                Scoping own work:  $0

200 pgs. @  $2:  $400         

Makes:  $475 for the day           Makes $0 for the day

Reporter A pays $0.75 per page to the scopist ($150.00) and ends up with $325.00 for the day.  Reporter B spent the day scoping the job from Day 1and made no money on Day 2.

Summary:

Reporter A makes $650 (plus the tax deduction of $300 paid to the scopist ) for the two days and Reporter B makes $475.  Reporter A makes $175 more than Reporter B, and the scopist is tax deductible.  A busy reporter may be losing money if he or she is not using a scopist.

(The above numbers are for example only.)