Flypuppy,
I used to be a navigation officer on this:
Comparable value to the aircraft in your example. Comparable responsiblity regarding if anything goes wrong - your up the swanny. However no passengers! My wage was comparible with that of a F/O's (assuming values banded around on here are correct). However I didn't have to coff up a penny for my training, license (uniform for those of you with LCC's). I imagine if you cost this out over say 35 years, using a cash flow forecast, (bearing in mind the £100,000 training costs up front) you'd find that you're considerbly out of pocket in comparison.
IMHO you guys are not overpaid for the level of responsibility and professionalism you possess.
I hate the graduate comparisons. Have you sen the type of sh*t people are studying nowadays? "David Beckham Studies". I rest my case.
Wiggly