The job is undeniably becoming less demanding.
But it is more demanding for many of the same reasons. Perhaps the aircraft are modern but the standard of training, recruits & commercial demands combine to make the job more demanding.
Specifically:
Have the entry requirements changed (reduced) over the past few years? Yes.
Are we working longer hours to more destinations? Yes.
Has training been outsourced and standards reduce? I believe so.
Have the minimum sectors for flying under instruction been reduced? Yes.
The bottom line is that the commercial imperative is undermining safety and that is all of our problem... Arsenal 1 training department 0.
Management, those who talk about flying rather than doing it, love the idea that the job is somehow less demanding these days than 'the old days' and that the aircraft do the job for us... Well they should do for $200,000,000 a piece but they can still make the same big hole in the ground if we f**k up.
It doesn't take a brain surgeon let alone a pilot to see that something is going to give.