Nevertheless he has a point.
Most of us are fully self funded professionals
. But not all and indeed many other
professionals are also self funded.
We bring a set of qualities, mental and physical
. You think that is a difference ?
We cannot work at less than 100% engagement
. Oh yes we can, and like others often do. Not sure how long you have been doing this, but just read about fatigue, CRM, errors etc and you will quickly realize how untrue that line is as a statement of fact.
We have to constantly demonstrate that our skills have not eroded
. In fact we often demonstrate how "our skills" have eroded. That is why we have continuous training and refreshers in both the sim and on the ground. It is the awareness of such things that should be the first step in correcting and improving our performance.
We have to make decisions in split decisions (no time to get into the books)
. I am guessing you mean decisions in split seconds ? However that is often the case in other occupations as well. In fact many (most) decisions do not have to be made in split seconds, and it the ablity to recognise that point that often shows a higher degree of judgement.
We suffer from known discomforts related to flying
. I am sure there are many jobs with discomforts related to their particular environment. Serving soldier rather springs to mind.
Statistics show pilots don't age very well past pension age
.
Ah yes,
statistics. Is that the statistics for those who retire at 55, or those who retire at 60 or those who retire at 65. Are the statitiscs relevant to any other particular occupation group that retire at those same age bands ?
It is rather unsafe to be deluded by a sense of your own self importance vis-a-vis other people in other occupations.
Pilots are not dissimilar to a variety of other occupations. We are subject to the vagaries of the laws of supply & demand and any distortions therein. Pilots have a trained skill that places them in a position that may make them irreplaceable in the short term. However that isn't much different from many other occupations.