Zero passengers at the gate

[Covoxer]

I wasn't ever considering the payload mod as a cheat .

It is not a cheat as long as you create realistic payload models. If you use it to make layout that can not be implemented in the real plane,
then it is absolutely not what it was created for.
But you can do it anyway, since there is no possible method for payload editor to check if you have entered right or wrong number of
seats.
So it's all up to you.

I simply didn't realize that my reputation would be modified by conducting non passenger flights, and I'm still wondering because I
have made 4 ' cargo ' flights from the same airport all with perfect results and still can't get a passenger.

Reduce price. All the way down to the bottom. Does it help?
Can you tell us your current reputation?