Personally, I do not classify myself as an engineer....and never have done throughout my time at University. And I won't consider myself an engineer either untill I have gained C.Eng status or I make significant enough progress in the workplace....if that ever happens. The difference comes in the term "engineer". In Europe,engineer actually means "inventor" so you can see the clashes in style between us and them already. An engineer to me is the man on the wing so to speak, or in the cockpit, or in the lab. Both go hand in hand and like Genghis says - rely on each others abilities and skills.
If there are issues with the RAes etc, then please take it up with them, but don't blame the guys who have spent 4 years studying their balls off, because the whole issue smells of hypocrisy.