By all means we should fight the PR battle at every opportunity. The gayest thing I've ever seen was this regional FO at a cocktail party leading people on that he was a millionaire sky god...he hit every every bad stereotype

But public opinion only plays a very small role...the only impact it might have is to slightly flavor the opinions of the politicians they elect. We only get paid the greater of the market rate (pilot shortage) or what we can negotiate as organized labor. The negotiation process is impacted by federal politics.

Unfortunately, the market rate is deflated by inexperienced kids who think they're going to be making $300K in five years.