If the newer displays are indisputably better, then why did Southwest choose the older, STANDARD flight displays, and train pilots to use only a PORTION of the available automation ? There must be a reason which improves flight safety, no?
*Or* could it be that using their considerable clout within US Aviation to get a glass cockpit to mimic the older instruments gave them a significant cost saving when it came to cross-training time? I also wonder how much money was spent lobbying Boeing to implement these displays vs. the money saved by requesting less automation...
There are arguments for both sides, really... it's easier to 'scan' dials than it is reading off a display, but it could be argued that the information that some of the more esoteric dials display has been superseded by things like the EGPWS map display.
Swings and roundabouts mate, isn't it?