The public thinks all pilots are heroes and they would love to support you
Gimme a break - that would have to be the silliest statement I've ever read on DG. No they don't!
a) The Oz public doesn't give a **** about pilots. It has its own problems to deal with, like trying to keep its financial head above water.
b) The "cutting down of tall poppies" cultural syndrome is alive and well. The hope was Gen Y would bury this defect but that hasn't happened. At the end of the day pilots are still perceived as overpaid glorified bus drivers as it ever was, despite the reality of the opposite. Forget those unreliable idiotic tabloid polls and get out more - mix with the Unwashed and get the true picture.
There are other reasons but why waste time stating the obvious?
If Mr McGhie really is 60yo then he of all people should be familiar with Australian industrial history and public manipulation.