[Closed] Issues with my hours

Ive got issues with my job. This is not really a question, just an open letter/discussion.

In my job (environmental scientist, of sorts) its sometimes expected, that one has to be on site at funny hours. not antisocial as such, but up and out the house by 4-5 in the morn , or on site till 9 at night.
(i also realise some of you will do hours at either end of the day on a daily basis)
this is fine by me, jobs gotta be done, it adds interest in a way, i am however PAID for 7.5 hrs a day

in previous companies ive worked for, one TENDS to get either paid for the extra time, or at least, offered it back if the time was more than an hour or two.

ACTUALLY we tended to work on a swings and roundabout system:
of course, there are days when you finish at 2 or 3 in the afternoon (through being efficient, not lazy) which, could then be taken off, assuming all the work was done, and toddle off home.

primary point of issue: we cant play "swings and roundabouts" anymore, cause we have the vans tracked, and not only tracked, the trackers are CHECKED regularly (a few times a day sometimes)

second point of issue: we got into the office yesterday, having been out on site, since 7:00 am, in the pissing rain, working our nuts off to SAVE the company money (th job could have easily been a 2 day job).
rolling in a 20 to 5, wet, muddy, and 9 hrs into the day; "computers on, 20 minutes work please, its not 5:00 yet"

when my probation is up (am 4 months into 6 months, oddly long ime) i will be pointing out that if theres no give in thier end, why should thier be any give in our end?

needless to say, bugger all work got done in that 20 minutes, it just served to irritate me, hence being on STW ranting at quarter to 10 (i'll log on in a bit, i suppose).

and the third point: driving, commuting to a site from the office on work bussiness, doesnt count towards work time apparently.
fair enough in some circumstances, however t'other day, working in KENT (im in exeter), having worked 7.5 hrs, then spent and hhr and half loading crap into a van (for work, but not part of the days work, its now half past 6) i was EXPECTED to drive the 4hr drive back, and be in work bright and early the next morning.

its not the driving that bothers me, but the fact its EXPECTED, not even mentioned, let alone paid or offered "an hour off on friday afternoon"

Apparently, talking to other members of staff, our contracts are worded VERY slyly, so actually, we have to do as "they" wish without complaint.

while they seem to have an excellent grasp of "what they can get away with" when it comes to legality, im not convinced theyve read up on thier health and safety regarding driving hours....

anyhoo, ranty overy. maybe im being un reasonable? seriously, tell me if you think so (im sure you will), a but being paid for 37.5 hr week, and REGULARLY doing over 45hr weeks without even a "thanks" is begining to grate my coconuts.
its possibly the "getting 10 days a year for free" off every member of staff that means they are surviving the recesion?

i dont want to work 9-5
but i do want a life 5-9, not just have it seen as "free time so not a problem to use it up woring for free"