Chaps
In defence of my case I did say (I was shouting as well!) IF/WHEN/PROVIDED sufficiently reliable automatics are available.
I did not say they were there already.
Wings used to fall off, flutter used to happen to airliners in the cruise (Electra - twice) but we gradually improved things so that those things (and others) were beaten. In my view the LONG term future is that we will be able to make automatics that are more reliable than us.
When people consider what good human performance achieves (as pilots in this case) there is a natural tendency to forget the bad results from similar humans when they make mistakes.
Fifty years ago airline passengers wanted to try any aircraft that offered faster and higher now they want cheaper and no departure delays (most passengers take safety as a given).
Meanwhile as I suggested in my first post it does seem cost reduction has dragged down (handling) training a little too far and it does seem that various authorities have realised this may be the case.
JF