In aviation, like other professions, people are respected because they earn respect. Regardless of if you come from the military, instructing, pipeline patrol, or whatever you can do with a commercial ticket you have gained experience as a result of your work background. Buying time and buying jobs does not earn respect in any profession and aviation should be no different. You work hard and sacrificed for your ratings and experience. As a result, you're compensated accordingly. This is why people don't respect PFT.

There are fast routes, there are hard routes. Remember that the easiest route isn't always the one that will net the largest returns. Being saddled with debt that you can't pay off on $17k will quickly make you a jaded pilot with a chip on your shoulder. Work for it, go to a better regional, make better money, and show respect for not only yourself, but ever other pilot out there that's trying to do what they love and keep a roof over their head while doing it.