I too think it unlikely that we'll see fully automated passenger transport within the next generation of pilots or aircraft... but there is a distinction between fully automated aircraft and remotely controlled aircraft... the idea of launching 300 pax into the sky then going off for lunch is highly unlikely.... however...those of us here in Afghanistan who regularly see military UAV's taxiing out ahead of us, being controlled by someone in California, can maybe visualise a passenger jet being similarly controlled...
Oh...and if anyone controlling the things from California is reading this...could you PLEEEEEZE taxi a bit faster ?
