Noted. I'm sure flight engineers said the same things about how indispensable they were as well. It's just a matter of how soon the software gets to the point where pilots go the same way.
I haven't got the time to do the research in detail, but I'd hazard a guess that the number of deaths caused by pilot error that would not have been made by software (in dodgy 3rd world airlines largely I grant you) probably already exceeds those saved by pilot recovery actions which would have been beyond the capability of software with the possibility of remote flying (as per military craft already).
It will happen - it's just a matter of when. The more expensive you guys remain the sooner it will happen because it will make more sense to spend more money on the systems development.