Originally Posted by Chuck D

It IS a job. We aren't truly changing the world. But, the same can be said for people making 10 or 100 times our salaries. In fact, I'd say your average inspirational "world changer" doesn't make much in real terms or relative to what they've changed.

However, have some pride in what you do! This is a different job than many. At times it's easy. You know, at times the Dr. doing Lasik surgery has it pretty easy too - push a button, watch the machine go to work. At times an attorney has a case that is so straightforward he can almost phone it in, but if he/she's in high demand, the hour is still billed at $1000 for expertise and experience. Both of those examples are very much worth their pay when a challenging situation comes up and they have the experience and knowledge to handle it correctly.

I don't know your full background, but in the aircraft, I can promise you there have been many days where I have earned my pay dozens of times over and avoided something could have been a headline if handled poorly. I'm sure any pilot (Captain or FO) with a few thousand or more hours can say the same. You are worth only what you negotiate. But you should really value your skill set, knowledge and expertise, not to mention time away from family, etc, farm more than you seem to here.