People,like GVNR, picture pilots sitting in comfy seats eating ,drinking and checking out the best view in the house.
They never see the same pilot at the end of a long-haul flight awake when others are asleep, or trying to sleep when the rest are awake.
They have no idea what it is like to blat around Europe in Winter, with poor weather, air traffic (and delays) for multiple sectors.
They do not realise that in no other profession is one's career examined so exhaustively. 2 medicals, 2 base checks, and a line check each year which can be FAILED!
Yet,if one of these people happened to be onboard an aircraft which suffered an emergency and the crew brought the flight to a safe conclusion, I wonder if their attitude towards pilots would change?
I somehow doubt it! They would say "That is what they are paid to do". AND THAT IS EXACTLY THE POINT!