You hit the nail squarely on the head, SOP. Is the job harder or easier today? Who knows? All we do Know is that it is different. Sure we have v. sophisticated autopilots, but need them half the time due to the sheer density of traffic in the TMA. More today it is about being a competent manager of ones crew and the people on the ground (I've seen people do it well, and badly ,and the difference is amazing).
The trouble is these days, one works twice as hard as the 707 pilot, in terms of hrs, has more to worry about in terms of managing the people, and still has to have the capability to do that NDB approach in grotty weather into a grotty airfield.
Different, but not easier
