I too apologize for my words coming across as antagonistic. (Hard to relay voice inflection of a debate in text.)
Honestly, I don't know it all about UAV's being implemented into the same airspace as manned assets, but for what it's worth, I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, AND the anonymous web board forum makes me sound much smarter than I really am!!
On a serious note. I've been working with the FAA for the better part of a year now, and dually admit that there are serious hurdles to overcome before it'll ever happen. (Tallest hurdle, as Bucking Bar would probably agree, is the simple bureaucratic structure of the FAA as a whole.)
If the FAA person on your jumpseat, is from one of the Great Lakes FSDO's, I've more than likely talked to him numerous times. I'd have liked to have been in that same conversation, as I disagree with his "zero plan" logic, but like I said, wasn't there, and can't speak for the basis he was making his argument. All I can say, is that there is a plan when radio comms fail, but with each FAA office being a time warp to the 70's, with corduroy & polyester included "free of charge", sometimes it's hard for people to "think outside the box". (Something that ACL65 offers to this forum. [Thinking outside the box.])
I PM'd both Bucking Bar & Boomer some thoughts/opinions of where I see UAV's combined with fixed wing a/c in the future. To both I wrote it's not something I foresee anytime soon. I agree with you that the thought of getting on an airplane, controlled by someone on the ground, could be thought as lunacy now. I do, however, think that the technology could be there in 30 years to have reduced crew requirements for long haul routes, for at least cargo operations, at a minimum.
I don't have a two year old anymore, (youngest is 8 year old [girl], going on 18) but do sometimes post like I had a two year old behind the keyboard.
Took a MLOA from Northwest, now Delta to spend some quality time with my family. Coming back to Ma' Delta soon. Until then, FLY SAFE.
GJ