Answering the OP's post - yes.
Picking up on the handling skills argument, I think most of us agree that there are two very clear streams of aviators. Firstly, there are the throttle and stick type who are undoubtedly well rehearsed in how to
fly an aircraft. Then there are the magenta children who are equally competent at
operating an aircraft. There is a bit of overlap, mostly retained by hairy ar$ed ppruners who have too much time on their hands
Personally, if I am walking, talking baggage I prefer to have the operator sat at the front of the tube. Without doubt, flight safety has improved over the decades as systems (both technical and CRM based) have developed and I would suggest that the AF447 scenario is far less likely now that the old style captain/co-pilot testosterone driven accidents were some 30-40 years ago. Equally, when the computer says no, many of the magenta children will be looking left for inspiration. The worrying bit will be when the left hand seat is also occupied by a magenta child.
One final point - if you want to fly, don't think that an airline job will satisfy your thirst. It will pay the bills, feed your ego and possibly open the door to the occasional no/low cost knee-trembler. However, I guarantee that if you stick with an aviation a career, it will not be too many years before you get that FI rating and spend a few days a month having fun.