go and ask any potential passenger if they would willingly board an aircraft knowing that there was no human in the cockpit flying the plane. I think the airlines would have a hard time convincing the public it's a good idea, particularly since the news media seem hell bent on portraying aviation as unsafe and reckless.
When the pilotless aircraft is $25 and the one with the people up front who can save the whole thing when it all goes tits up (or let's face it, plow a perfectly serviceable aeroplane into the ground) is $30, the SLF will flock in their droves to the drone.