Originally Posted by
USMCFLYR
DANG! I'm sure sorry you feel that way - because I'm a pilot who has never flown an airliner and I sure don't feel like, nor am I treated like, unskilled labor.
To the OP, the other thing to remember is that there are other avenues to the professional pilot world that DON'T involve the airlines. MANY people get stuck in their head that there is only one path to a successful aviation career. No matter which path your child chooses to venture down should they decide to give this profession a try, it is best to not have blinders on as many opportunities exist in the industry for those who are ready to grasp a gem once found.
What I was getting at was that many of us don't have formal training outside of aviation that would help us gain employment. I definitely don't feel like unskilled labor in the cockpit. And all pilots who make their living in airplanes, not just airline guys.