I agree....you have to be very carefull when talking to people outside the industry. I remember the first time I told someone that I made $15 bucks an hour as a pilot (yes $15) and they said well thats not too bad. I learned my lesson.

People just don't know any better. Most people relate to showing up for work and getting paid when they clock in untill they go home. So when they hear things like $19 an hour first year they say, "oh thats not that bad". Then you tell them well but you have to cut that in half because a pilot can only work 1000 hours a year. So then what are they thinking? Oh pilots only work 1000 hours a year, they must have all this time off. It sure would be nice to only work 1000 hours a year.

Although I am sure his intentions were good, I think the guy (the lawyer being interviewed) hurt more than he helped by explaining our situation that way. Whenever I talk about pay/work to ANYONE, I relate my DUTY time for the week and my Monthly earnings. Something like "I work about 70 hours a week and I make $1,600 a month." MOST average Joe's can quickly relate those figures into something understandable. Then I might talk about my hefty student loans if the person is interested.

If you ever want public support you have to allow them to relate.