Look, it is true that bulk decades ago when you went flying in an aircraft there was a high likelihood that something could go wrong and your pilot ace could save you. But if you have never read the history of pilot wages in the mid 1900's, it might surprise you that the same **** was going on then as is going on now.
Pilot wages actually only got going in the 60's and 70's be because post war there were so many aces looking for work most had to grab a shovel and work on a farm.
Pilots didn't get their **** together until a couple of decades after the war and for the first time managed to get their profession properly recognised.
Korean airlines in the 80's-90's thought they could monkey train pilots into their aircraft. After a dozen or so fatal crashes killing many hundreds of citizens they realised it wasn't working. They decided they actually had to employ experienced western captains and offer them a high salary to do it. Some of my colleagues left QF to do it as it was a good payrise. There was supply and demand and a bit of recognition of what we actually do or achieve in a profession on display. Unfortunately it doesn't happen often enough.
You might be pursauded to think that what we do is monkey-dumb. If that's the case, why so many crashes in countries that actually do think it's monkey-dumb? Adam Air anyone?