Originally Posted by scambo1

Generally, if you have to throw a switch to get a system to perform its job, it is dumbed down (or at least not operating the way the most modern equipment operates). Newer jets do most of the things flight engineers used to do automatically.

The 737 is far from the "dumbest" jet in DALs inventory. However, the overhead panel is mostly manually operated.

There is a benefit from both approaches to jets actually, dumb or smart. It is difficult to transition from the dumbest jets to the smartest jets. It is probably even harder to go from the smartest to the dumbest.

In my case, I am pretty sure I wouldn't choose to fly the DC-9 (our dumbest jet). It would just not be pretty.

In different jets, you prioritize what is important at any given time. In dumb jets, everything is important and needs attention, smart jets tell you what is important freeing the pilot up to concentrate of phase of flight issues.