bcgallacher......I've been in this industry over 30 years so have witnessed the many changes that have occurred.
I too feel strongly about the general "dumbing down" of both the licensing system and type training....However the future of the industry is in the hands of the youngsters that are attracted to this profession today. I will always give a balanced view of this career to anyone considering embarking on the long and demanding road to becoming an LAE.
Despite the many challenges, I feel it is still a very worthwhile career. There has to be some form of acceptance that the industry has changed massively from the "good old days" when airlines had cartels and Governments protecting fare structures etc.