Not likely. Not any more than we already are. Truck drivers have better rest rules than cargo pilots.

Look around some and discover all the independent contractors AT YOUR OWN AIRLINE. They justify this behavior because they see themselves as part of management (white collar) so THEY should be compensated more than YOU for their work. Never mind that you are the revenue generator and they just organize magazines in the crew room. A blue collar habit of sticking together in unity is far more effective at getting better wages and benefits.

The time of bankruptcies and pay reductions is gone. Recently we have been bouncing back very strongly, not because they are impressed with your credentials when hired but because of the unity of the pilot groups. White collar types typically stab each other in the back and push others down to rise to the top, good times or bad.

Assuming blue collar tradesmen are beneath you is elitist and limits your (our) potential. Maybe you should have gone into finance.

I didn't get that sense from his post at all.

I understand what he's saying, especially as I just experienced it myself--and not for the first time. I was recently at a party, just carrying on normal conversation. One of my wife's friends brought up to one of her brothers that I was a pilot by way of introduction. I was surprised that the conversation stopped around me, people gathered around, and everyone had a question or positive comment for me. People were very admiring and it's always surprising how many people say that at one point they wanted to be one too except for eyesight, etc, etc.

I think people do hold pilots in some esteem just like they do with surgeons or other professionals.

Esteem or interest?

You could get the same level of interest about your job if you were a "roadie" for Tim McGraw, Usher, or Katy Perry. Depending on your audience. Or, an NFL football player. Are they white collar? Hmm. People crowd around them at clubs and parties. But, they get their hands dirty and they're in a union...

Stripper, prostitute and pimp also.

Will you be my pimp?

Its time to find a new job if a professional pilot views themselves anything other than that!

Pride comes from within. Don't wait for the pampering "There, there, you're so unappreciated.".

Whoa! There goes family hour.....

I think if you could take your seniority and position with you from employer to employer, as ship captains can, it would improve your claim to white collar status. Or can you imagine a world-class heart surgeon who has to start out mopping the operating room floor if he changes hospitals?

So if I view myself as a sky truck driver where else do I go?

Bear in mind I also want to get paid to do essentially nothing most of the time, while having a Subway, drinking a Coke, and listening to my tunes. Oh, and with relatively good days off (you know, like off 3 or 4 days a week, and with 3 vacations a year).

Good post PhantomE