What do I do, training Capt Boeing, 14500 hrs. What alarms me most, watching pilots screw up. Cargo boy, the BA incident would have been avoided with Sat Nav, it should be compulsory, hopefully, soon. But 90% of smoking holes are crew induced and thus avoidable. Even with existing technology you can sit and watch it all be done for you from rotate to touch down, well some can, the intricacies of the FMC are beyond most in my experience.
Kapt M, ability/ competence is not directly related to how long you have sat in the seat. Employers, as you have pointed out will go for the cheapest option, and that doesn't automatically mean unsafe. Some very expensive 'western' pilots have screwed up on many occasions, TFN springs to mind. I'm not saying we are all about to be put out of a job, it's the nature of it that will change and the rewards. I would not advise a career in aviation now.Oh and Atlpax, don't get on a Airbus, there is nothing between the pilot and the controls but computers!