Are you wanting Respect or Deference? If the latter, then that is pretty much gone in the western world unless you are part of the super-rich. The general public do have respect for pilots (and anyone else who does what is considered a difficult job). I think even airline management have a grudging respect for their pilots, but that is often vastly overshadowed by modern combative management techniques and the overwhelming desire to pare costs to the bone. We are tough and intelligent enough to deal with the first, but the incremental chipping away at t&c's is harder to bear, this is often expressed as being shown a lack of respect. So,I'd rather be on an industry average payscale with an employer who doesn't fret about Hotel and taxi costs so much, has sensible industrial relations with the union and keeps any promise that it makes.
If I had a Christmas wish, it would be to make aircrew's passage through security a less demeaning process. Particularly in the UK.