Not necessarily a black art, AirScrew, but strong cross wind landings in swept wing jet transports do require skill, and basic knowledge of the geometry of the particular aircraft that you are flying.
For many years I operated the good 'ole B707, and the engine pods on this aircraft were a darn sight closer to the ground than the 747, yet in all those years of operating this, what could at times be a very limiting aircraft in adverse situations, never scrapped an engine pod and, oddly enough, neither did any of the First Officers that I trained/flew with did either.
I maintain that, with all the 'automatics' in more modern day designs, rather basic flying skills have been neglected to a large degree.
A very good FMS/FMC in a jet aeroplane might make the navigation/thrust management a breeze, but that same box has limitations, and pilots find out their true abilities when the chips are down, and the winds are a blowin'....
Some simply don't measure up to expectations.
And likely never will.