AL R, I think you have most of your points exactly right. It must be remember that the threat and environment was much different then. In the 70s and 80s, the risks taken were much higher, to meet the threat and the necessary training profiles. Unfortunately many of us lost friends through risk that would be unacceptable today. We flew far more hours, with quite demanding aircraft and relatively poor simulation. Our new generation of aircrew have different challenges. I think and hope they can meet them.