d246: yeah, some skills are slowly disappearing. But in some countries, most pilots tend to have 2,000-3,000, possibly 7,000 hours of flight experience or much more (at the nationals/majors) before they ever step into an FMC/FMS aircraft simulator.
Despite the advanced technical tools stated in previous remarks, a very sophisticated aircraft landed at the wrong US airport not too long ago ( but it was right under the extended final for the correct airport). The Jeppsen note about the "other airport" was not large or in bold print, from what I remember.
Besides the Cali tragedy, and the others at Habsheim, Mulhouse (Lorraine), the Persian Gulf, India, Japan, there were very unstable approaches in automated aircraft in Miami, over Paris (on film). These are just the ones which come to mind. Some we might never read about, outside of recurrent training or the sim. briefing cubicles?
Some involved aircraft factory pilots. Including the horrible A-330 tragedy at the Airbus 'homebase' at Toulouse. But this was a test flight-or just a demonstration flight?
Are line pilots generally less complacent, possibly being more aware of their personal limitations?
