Well, if you want to be treated as a fellow professional:
1. Put on your hat.
2. Wear your uniform correctly and with pride.
3. Lose the iPod when you are in the terminal.
4. Get some luggage instead of your backpack.
5. Listen more than speak.
That should about do it.
P.S. Your comment "who cares anyway" pretty much sums up why the "old guys" look down on you.