"In addition the fully automated flight deck world has made it so that even real flight skills are not all that necessary anymore"

Again, not true (I agree with some of your other points, though). A 757 with the FMC's deferred or the autopilot inop (I've seen both) is a lot like a 727. You can dumb the airplane down and it's just a jet. The flight crew should have the experience/background to get the job done in that mode as well as with all the magic working. Now, does the MAPDer or direct track guy with 300 hours bring enough to the game? I highly think not. But I just can't agree with you that new technology is making the airline pilot job one that can be done by any burger flipper and, therefore, is doomed to eventually equal burger flipper wages.