How are pilots perceived around the world?
 

Is being a pilot perceived as a good profession all around the world? I met a guy who been to Sweden and he told me to never tell anybody you're a pilot over there since they see pilots as nobodies!

On the other side in western Europe I know it's highly recognized.

Still better than bankers.......

I just tell people that I'm a piano player in a bordello. :ok:

Bus Driver usually guides the conversation to other things :-)

Glorified taxi driver or truck driver if you fly cargo. I couldn't care less of what the general public think. The pay is good and my employer treats me really well.

The trend nowadays are influencers. And I have a strong stigma against the few we have in the aviation industry. Sorry but I just can't help it.

A new meaning to leading edge devices.

See you in Jet Blast - or oblivion.

Third Triangle Player in the Falklands Islands Symphony Orchestra usually raises an eyebrow or two......

While standing in line at the check-in desk at a hotel, the gentleman ahead of me in line finishes his business with the desk, turns, sees my pilot uniform and hands me his bags. Moral of the story? Don't go thinking you're any better than a bellhop!

While flying a rather venerable turbo-prop, I recall a First Officer who described his job as "assistant curator in a transport museum"

There was this story of the US based pilot who used to frequent bars on layovers.
To avoid getting strange looks for drinking on a layover he used to tell people he was in the 'metal tube relocation' business.

"A traveler in aluminium for the government."

Well, as you can see there's little chance you get any serious response but the question begs for such jokes.
In Poland - it's very well respected if you are one of those types flying in uniforms - airlines, military, corporate and air ambulance. If you fly anything else for money - small cargo, crops, vaccines dropping etc. - you are just truck driver. And if you fly for fun - most likely you are perceived as rich jerk. Which makes you womanizer :D

&

Mmmm... A friend of mine was a 747 captain: he used to describe himself as a "Heavy Equipment Operator".

In Australia it depends a bit where you are: in seat 0A, you have a status close to god -- in the bar, you can buy your own drinks. With the ladies, much depends on how much alimony you are already paying...

Description of Male pilot divorce. His wife gets the gold mine while he gets the shaft!

Overpaid glorified bus drivers who keep brothel owners in business is probably the most common perception

Quite right
 

The crew was in line at a US immigration desk. The man behind the desk barked “What are you, Prober?” My rather startled look caused my F/O to step forward and explain that his captain was a gentlemen of leisure!

Prober

I think it's fairly respected in the UK however I do hear a lot of comments about how young the pilots are at budget carriers like EZY and it doesn't help the case when they're strolling around the airports glued to their phones with a school bag on... :ugh: