Shawn,
I really have to take exception to your straw poll where the respect given to test pilots by their employers is determined by the attendence at SETP!
At Sikorsky, no project is formed without a project test pilot, who must aprove all cockpit and basic systems designs. The chief test pilot is an executive of the company, and rhis/her regular reports are distributed directly to the company president and all the senior vp's without editing.
I think your survey is backwards - if the tp's don't attend SETP, look there for where the problem resides. While SETP is a great org, it is not particularly influential in the helicopter world. And frankly, manufacturers know that the typical military TP is a long way from being qualified to conduct manufacturer's shakedown/development tests.