I know it isn't automatic. You didn't interpret the statement correctly. GoJets and pilots of that nature are who I was refering to that need to show more respect for the profession.

Why shouldn't this job be treated with some respect? If it's someone's hobby then they aren't a professional at it. You see this job as something that everyone can do but that's because you are surrounded by people who do it.

There were 567,000 physicians and surgeons in 2004.

Lawyers held about 735,000 jobs in 2004

Civilian aircraft pilots and flight engineers held about 106,000 jobs in 2004. About 84,000 worked as airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers.

There are fewer pilots than these other professions people here seem to hold in such high regard. One of my buddies from college is in medschool. He's doing good and will be a great doctor. He admires what I do and doesn't think to highly of being a doctor.

I have 4 friends that are becoming lawyers and while they like law they still tell me how amazed they are I've made it this far and how they could never do it.

The point is they are amazed at what I do because they don't do it. To me it's just a job. I'm amazed at what they do because I would never think I could do it but to them it's just a job. Why? Because we all busted our butts to get here. Studied forever, took exams, went to college ect. to get where we are at. We don't feel "lucky" to be where we're at because we earned it. The grass is always greener on the other side. I remember when I was a kid I'd look into the cockpit and see all those dials and switches and think it was impossible to know all that stuff and thought the highest of the guys up there. Many adults I talk to still think that same way.

So YES. I think our profession deserves respect. The people I talk to respect it. Respect us. It only appears to be the pilots that don't seem to show any respect. Those that just talk it down, and those that screw us by working for crappy companies under crappy conditions.