I think the US military uses remote drivers (pilots) already where planes(albeit very small ones) are under the comand of a 'pilot' on the ground. Perhaps this will be the backup one day?
I don't think that technology gets the credit it deserves. Such technology on an aircraft would not be like that on your PC, it would mirror such technology that space crafts have been using for decades - as a lot of space flight is automated. I'm sure 'fly by wire' had just as many opponents when it was introduced. I think that this technology may be on as quicker than we think, but I'm sure we will all be nearing the end of our careers
