I do not however look up to you mainliners as better, or somehow more important that I am and somehow better than me. Most mainline pilots have been in the game longer to take advantage of opportunities and get lucky.
I just want the respect that my fellow regional drivers and I deserve.
I don't need anyone spitting on me, while I climb.
Everybody has to start somewhere right? This industry is not unfamiliar with lower time pilots. Even the majors are littered with guys who were lucky to get hired at a young age with low time. What do you expect aspiring pilots to do?
Dr. Fins prescribes a read of "Fate is the Hunter" "SkyGods" or any of the other autobiographical writings of pilots who threw their old worn out hat in the dustbin on the mandated day.
You will be happier when you stop measuring your value based on the respect of your peers. There will always be FO's that think they should be Captain instead of you, Line Check Airmen who get off on proving they know more than anyone else in the room, Management Pilots, pilots at up and coming airlines who think they're smarter because they have two year upgrades, etc ...
If a mainline FO sneers from across the Terminal, it might be the guy has a cold, or isn't wearing his glasses and is trying to squint his way back to 20/20
(happens as you get older and many pilots only take their glasses out then they need them to fly). Or, he might think your regional airline is the reason why he has a two leg commute to reserve on a smaller jet. In any event, just let it roll off your back, it ain't no big deal. What matters is that you are happy with your actions. Be friendly and show respect to others, even the person pushing the cleaning cart.
Don't think "respect" will carry the day for anyone. Even Capt. Sullenburger has folks digging through his school records looking for bad news to report.
What will bring this profession together is when the majority of pilots realize it is in their collective best interest to work together to increase compensation and job security.
This Delta / NWA deal serves as a good example. It isn't about respect as much as it is about the
collective interest in self preservation and advancement.