I used to show people my paycheck to prove the point but they still didn't believe it. I even had one person tell me that this was a bonus check and not my by-monthly check. The pay is so horrible that even when you prove to them what you earn they still can't believe it.
I think i want my ALPA money going to a campagne to educate the public. Signs all over the airports saying "Your Pilots Make $19k/Year". "Cheap tickets come at a cost." "Low Wages".