MPN11,
A PPL is not an insignificant experience, my good Sir. You are every bit as much of a pilot as any hoary old Captain with 25,000 hrs (before he stopped counting) in his pile of logbooks.
The great divide is between those who have been lucky enough to have the chance to fly solo and those who have not had that opportunity. You will always be a pilot - in contrast to our new trade of drone drivers (whom I in no way belittle - I admire them for their sterling work - and maybe it is the way we are all going).
But they are not pilots (in the generally understood sense of the word) and it is idle to pretend that they are, or to badge them as such).
There is a Thread devoted to this topic, and I know I am out of order in Posting here, but I hope the Moderators will let it stay as I promise to be of Good Behaviour in future.
Danny