Originally Posted by
forgot to bid
EFB cost money. Slow track.
Robot replacement pilots saves money. Fast track.
Yeah, OK. Fast track (that has unlimited money).
Here's an analogy. Most people with early-construction homes in Florida won't retrofit them with the latest Miami-Dade code "approved" hurricane impact doors, windows, garage doors, other openings, etc, etc, etc. Why?
Because, even on the most modest home, it could cost at least $30,000 to upgrade all openings to approved hurricane protection. The owner "might" save $500 a year on home owners insurance. So let's see: 60 years to return the investment?! For a hurricane that may arrive? And even the ones in the past that did, the house survived since 1965 without them (they're made of brick and stucco down here).
I'll upgrade the openings when the prices become more reasonable, or buy a newer house where they come built with this new "Miami-Dade" code opening protection. It's just not worth it financially the way it is.
Point is, add a whole bunch of zeros to that. Then install in a wide and varied aged fleet of airliners, to airline BODs which cannot afford, nor the government, the kind of automation and retro fit that is required. We can't even fly point to point yet for crying out loud. How long has that technology been available?