What an interesting thread !
BEA & BOAC for many years employed hamble cadets with very low hours on aircraft that were considerably more labour intensive and arguably harder to operate aircraft without too many problems (excepting PI perhaps?) for many years.
I note with interest that in 2013 Bae will be flying the Mantis project in UK airspace. This I believe to be a remotely operated drone type craft.
Is it not concevable that within say 10 to 15 years, freight and mail may be flown by pilotless aircraft.
Whilst I think there will always be a person at the front of an aircraft. Could passenger aircraft be effectively remotely operated within the working lifetime of some of todays crews ? I think so.....
Could these factors not have a considerable effect on T&C's in the not too distant future ?
Oh and one other question ? Why do some pilots site examples comparing themselves with Dr's ? A doctor does a 5-7 year degree......and a pilot ?
Just a couple of thoughts.....