A few thing to not forget;

1. The government and the $$$$ that would have to be appropriated to get a system of this capability up to speed. How long does it take to build a bridge, fix a freeway, or even pass a spending bill? The cost is astronomical and the funding will not EVER be there. We are still utilizing an ATC system with the newest 1970's technology.

2. Flight attendants, yes flight attendants are ALWAYS GOING TO BE REQUIRED. As it is, FA's primary role is safety, and ensuring safe emergency exiting of an aircraft if necessary. The service is really second in their job. Now, how many FA's would be willing to fly without pilots? Take a poll, I actually have when this topic comes up with the crew, and in my few years I have met 1 that said they would do it without pilots. However, that was only if they got "much higher pay", had access to flight deck, and were trained to manually fly the aircraft.

3. There is no such thing as a "operator-less" piece of transportation equipment anywhere. All have control centers that are manned, see that word MANNED, by humans. I do believe technology is going to continue to grow, but with the dynamics of aviation, it will never be without humans. As someone mentioned before, trains still have operators, whether on-board or remotely.

People keep bringing up cars and how they will drive themselves. But will there still not be a person in the car? I do not see me being able to sit on my ass while my car goes and picks up my kid from school. Look at the testing, not the advertising, the actual testing. It's not as going so well. That is in a controlled test track environment as well

The day may be coming, but humans will always be operating/supervising/controlling the overall operation. If that means me in a building flying a couple remotes planes around, fine. I will be home everyday, can take smoke breaks, go pee without needed to ask for others help, not blow money on ****ty airport food, won't miss birthdays, anniversary, weddings, graduations and hell, might even get paid more since profits will be higher without as much cost.....sign me up. In the end it's a Sci-Fi nerds wet dream. That's all