Tourist,
The airlines/aviation world have taken the gamble that we don't need good pilots anymore because the systems so rarely go wrong.
I think that they are wrong, but the people who set the standards for licences and type ratings seem to disagree.
...good speech.
It seems that, these days,
all you need to be a "good" "pilot" is an encyclopedic knowledge of the Ops manua, a willingness to follow rules without thinking and an ability to programme an FMS to fly a hold.
The children of the magenta line make me cry at night.
Mike, when you need to drive your Ferrari like Mr Hamilton will you be able to if you haven't been taught the required skill?
To continue your analogy airline flying is, I agree, mostly on public roads but every now and again you'll find yourself screaming up to Maggots at 600 knots. You'd appreciate having the ability to sort it out then wouldn't you!