Creampuff, with due respect, you are incrorrect. Contrary to popular belief, PROFESSION is no longer defined as requiring special training in the liberal arts or sciences such as Law, Theology or Medicine. It has plenty (and a lot more) to do with the body or group of people in such an occupation. Therefore by default a professional is a person suitable for or engaged in a profession. Therefore (again) pilots ARE PROFESSIONALS. So are engineers and ATCO's.
Management have been trying hard for years to downgrade our PROFESSION. It is an attitude enshrined by pure jealousy.
"The Life of Brian" is a hilarious movie, but it has no significance here. Further more, we are arguing semantics. I don't believe too many people really care.
Australian pilot's are under attack from vacuous bean counters with little or no empathy/understanding for the trade we perform.
Responsibility for transporting people through the air safely should come at a reasonable price. At this stage only QF are realising that objective.