Rigorous standardization and good training ensure that qualified, competent personnel are on the line and that they're kept that way
Exactly....those pilots are qualified and competant but lack airmanship. Again, to reiterate, this is less a problem in the USA from whence you hail Guppy because of the 1500 hour rule.
But it may turn out to be a problem in Europe...I guess only time will tell.
And beancounters run everything these days as they are responsible for the bottom line and on whom the bonus driven managers rely to fatten up their incentive driven bonuses. To deny that means either one is very naive or else maybe a management stooge.