So a great deal of value add then? All of which makes it a wonder why so many airlines going bust and why time and time again pilots are cited as one of / major cause of dispute.
The problem you have with the keeping everything going, saving everyone from impending doom is that subjectively if asked to put a value on that you all say its priceless but given we all know pilots are paid a salary tell me what should that be?
Then once you've put a value on it - lets say $100K - what happens when someone puts their hand up and says I'll do for $95K.. no £80K... no £50K...
Does a union get involved and protect its members? Does it create an artificial floor? Then what happens when the place goes bust?
Its all very well being a wise guy and saying "Oh the guy checking the bags what does he do to save an aircraft at 30000ft" but its also true that without that guy he's got nothing to fly and on the basis every major US airline has gone bust in the last decade - one thing that is for certain pilots are either over valuing their role or aren't representing themselves very well. Or do you have another reason?