I have been a package car driver for thirty-four years and did earn a BA. Looking back, I made some horrible decisions when choosing a major. It was something that I was not overly enthusiastic about and did not lead to a smooth path into the job market. I wouldn't call my time at college a waste, but I came out of it with no real job opportunities or even a clear insight into what might be a good vocational plan to pursue.
The UPS thing fell into my lap, and I am still at it four decades later. Working at UPS has plenty of drawbacks; however, wages, benefits, vacation time, and union support are not among them.
I have never gotten the "I have a white-collar job, and therefore I am superior to you" vibe from anyone in the general public to any notable degree. I think most people have respect for what we do and how hard we work. The only place that I have encountered this type of thing is from UPS management. This is where having a college education comes in handy; the look on their face when I respond to their snide comments with something relating to Danish psychologist Erik Erikson's eight stages of psychosocial development is priceless.
With any luck, I will be retiring by the end of the year. I have found something somewhat personal: a nice little niche, something that I find interesting, rewarding, and possibly helpful. We'll see how it goes.