Guys. Stop trying to kid yourself. The exact figures may be debatable, but if anyone thinks the standard of pilots, drivers, maintenance has not declined - you are reacting exactly as I expected.
This is a subjective opinion based on different eras which can't be compared eg footballers, racing drivers etc. What is important is the overall safety of the
system (ie transport A to B in safety) and operating
subsystems (piloting, maintenance, design, manufacturing).
Add in known maintenance issues that have cause fatal/non fatal accidents and for good effect add the internet (787 fiasco).
Think you'll find none of the 787's problems are maintenance problems, they are design & manufacturing. The pace of communications
is a game shifter for perception. I suspect 20 years ago we would have had the CVFDR found and downloaded in this case before there was enough momentum for a grounding campaign.
Suspect your view is primarily driven by two well documented human traits: rose tinted hindsight and fear increasing with age. Anyone that is more afraid of commercial transport now than in the 60's or 70's has not seen the rate of hull losses and fatalities plotted over those 40 years. GA accidents - well that's a whole different kettle of fish where the technology can't compensate for the singular points of failure and compromises made at the price point.