cant believe I went thru the registration process just to make this observation, but I couldn't help myself:
deterioration of flying skills due to computer ascendancy is (imo)a valid and worthwhile concern, but I think it has not as much to do with this crash as a couple of other factors.
the probable cause of this accident was the failure of the instructor/check airman to do his job.
it surely can be anticipated that the pilot who has never flown a 777 into sfo might well screw up the approach. that is why the check airman is there.
He failed. It was his responsibility, not the upgrading line pilot's.
the upgrading line pilot was not certified to make that approach. the instructor was certified to monitor it and intervene if needed. He did not.
i understand that it was the check pilots first check assignment.
The institutional failure was certifying the instructor to do a job he failed at in his first try.
imo,
the airline has a instructor certification problem. this contributed to the crash more than anything else.