Gents, something else to consider here...the sim portion costs time and money. With the hiring numbers in the future being what they will be, removing the sim allows the company to spread the interview process throughout the system to more than just DEN. I'm not saying they will do that, but getting rid of the sim ride opens up that possibility.
IMHO, the sim ride is unnecessary, but be that as it may, until it is officially gone, it is here.