I've been trolling these hallowed threads for fifteen years or more. Pilotless airliners have been the Next Big Thing here for that entire period.
Didn't Missy Cummings predict they were about five years away... about seven years ago?
Let me tell you one fact that I do know - my airline is purchasing brand new 777F's at the factory... current rumor is that we will end up with near a hundred of them.... All staffed (usually) by four highly-paid, unionized pilots. New 767F's too....
As I've preached for years: Yes, it can be done. No, it can't be done cheaper.