UPS has said they plan to start flying pilot less freighters on transpacific routes by 2025. This will pave the way to automated ground controlled flights with a "safety" pilot to take over if something goes wrong which will eventually lead to the elimination of any pilots.
It is inevitable, the only question is when. My guess by 2035 it will be the norm for long haul over ocean and by 2040 it will be the norm for all sched airlines.
As for passenger reluctance, dream on. If the pilotless airline is 10 dollars cheaper than the one with pilots, their airplanes will be full and the other one will fire the pilots or go bankrupt.......