I am however becoming old, slow and tired.
yeah, know the feeling!
re 744, I recall young FO's in the RHS straight out of flight school. On the line, they did everything, including taxi; with marshallers at remote stands on the cargo apron, I even let them park. They were a sharp bunch on the whole.
Re aircraft generally; rememeber Bill Pegg on the Bristol Brabazon (who remembers that machine ?!)--" I just fly the cockpit and the rest follows ".
747, 380, Cessna 150--an aircraft is an aircraft. ( so long as the attitude and the ability is there
)