How can technology ever cope with an infinate number of problems that may occur? Starting at the usual computer failure and moving onto more indepth "need to divert there NOW" but not knowing that the place is shut due to bad WX or lack of fire coverage etc - I think pax a/c will NEVER be pilotless and ATC will always have human interface.
As for the workforce shrinking, well maybe but in what context? I think the UK will lose most of its assistants (ATSA's) over the next 15 or so years, but actual ATCO numbers will rise in the near future (definately need to here) and then plateau. As the numbers of a/c handled by one ATCO increases, so does the demand on each piece of airspace, so basically airspace gets divided up more and number of ATCO's remains high.
Too many freak behaviours in this industry for it to be completely computerised - and I'm not just talking about Heathrow Approach
