When they made the airplanes safer, by adding a whole series of gadgets, flying became indeed more easy. A secondary effect of this was, that many previous knowledge required and common sense was 'not needed' anymore for daily ops.
The overall difference in safety level of an average 3000 hr airline captain, compared to an experienced pilot with a classic aircraft, is therefor a valid question.
I think flightschools and beancounters took an unexpected advantage of the new generation of aircraft.