I'll be the first to say that wearing a nice, conservative suit is essential at any airline interview, and I'll agree that most people don't think of pilots as "blue collar" workers. In a casino in San Juan, the high-rolling contractor throwing down $100 bets at the blackjack table laughed at my paltry wagers. I asked him how much he thought I made, to which he replied "at least a hundred grand". Divide that by five and you get closer. The public's perception of us is (generally) that we're overpaid bus drivers.
If you're working for Colgan, though, I don't think you'll EVER be making 80K per year. At $61/hr (15yr SF340 capt), 100hr/mo, that would be a little over $73000 per year. Realistically, you won't make squat at regional first year pay unless you work a TON of OT.
Find me another $18000/year job where you don't have a chance in an interview unless you wear a nice suit.