Life after OCU's
Boys, boys, "the chicks love you" - Get real! They just want to know what's under the flying suit and lets face it, those long johns are a real turn off!
Seriously, any bird with a brain probably earns as much or even more than you any way so (this is for the younger willy wavers amongst you in particular) I suggest you accept that you do an important job and take pride in doing it to the best of your ability. People (civilians) are intrigued by you because you need to give 100% commitment in a job like yours and do something far more scary than play with other peoples money. You get moved around all over the place, have to go away to less than desirable holiday destinations, and when you hit your mid-30's realise that all your old mates probably earn twice what you do.
If you love flying and the buzz you get away on ops it will be hard to replicate this in the 'real world' and no amount of money can make up for that. You should genuinely be proud of what you do. Everyone feels disillussioned about their jobs at some time in their career - but few can say they've really done something that counted even if at times you may question what you are being asked to do.
The former Mr Binky was a surgeon (believe me when I say the chicks did love him) with an ego the size of England and the current Mr Binky is a RAF pilot. An older (and definitely wiser) lady at the Xmas draw told me I was better off with a 'hero' and although I had to try hard not to be sick at that moment, I did take her point in the spirit it was meant (current Mr B was literally just back from the desert). That's how you lot are viewed by the public, even if at times you feel you are being messed around and not appreciated. The grass is not always greener.