Doc,
I agree with you, everyone has their job to do, and everyone is necessary, just some have much better pay and conditions than others.
I really hate this arragant attitude of some pilots, NOT most pilots but some, because of what you said in your second paragraph.
I have always mixed with the cleaners and porters, as well as pilots and others, to the extent at one airline I was chastised by management several times, for being far too close to the cleaners as in managements opinion they were below Engineers. That is why I absolutely hate this crap about pecking orders, or anyone being better than anyone else...... I take everyone as I find them, be they fellow Engineer, Cleaner or Check Captain.......
Best regards to ALL,
"lame"