Thats exactly my point. A doctor sweeping the hospital halls will certainly raise more eyebrows than a pilot cleaning a plane. Why is that?
We have been conditioned to think that this is normal. I do not in any way denigrate the notion of manual labour or anyone who has been forced into this situation. I definitely reserve my scorn for these slave drivers who front as operators. Good and effective hiring practices should weed out the undesirables. In which other profession do we find this happening? If it is, it is merely out of choice. But in this situation, grueling road trips, endless PFO letters, and if you do get through, an excellent position on the ramp awaits you.
I would be curious to know how many guys have actually put in 1 to 2 years on the ramp and not gotten a job onto that elusive right seat with the same operator. That would give us an idea if this truly is a tool to weed out the undesirables. I reckon it's just about seniority until your number comes up. Sad if its true.