Well let's try to work through your issues. First, I hope it never happens. I like my pilot job and I hope it is there for my kids if it's where they want to work. But sticking my head in the sand and saying it will never happen is not exactly helping either.
Let's start with communication. The AF is already flying unmanned drones all over the US. Granted they don't mix it up with the regular flights, but there is already the backbone of a communication network between the FAA controllers and the remote operator. Enhancing that capability for civilian carriers is a regulatory change and additional procedures for the FAA. Nothing that could not be solved in a couple years.
Automating the aircraft is probably the easiest of the tasks. A few new boxes in the nose and bingo. The tech already exists, it is only a software update from applying to a 757 or a 777. There won't be a global change to aircraft design. Just mod the current aircraft. Much easier than turning a three seat DC10 into a 2 seat MD10.
FDX has already been spending money in drone development. If we as pilots think that the FAA won't move quickly because they normally don't, think again. If FDX, UPS, Amazon start banging for change on capital hill, the FAA will figure it out quickly. Here is an Amazon job ad:
https://www.amazon.jobs/en/jobs/5369...ager-prime-air
My dirty crystal ball would project an implementation that starts with FAA route changes being pushed to our in flight FMS boxes and we just accept. That change is then automatically updated into our flight plan which the aircraft then flies. Next a ground ops implementation would have to take place where we toggle ready for pushback/taxi and then we are approved via data link. A fairly simple algorithm would allow ATC to smooth flow directional departures by controlling who taxied in what order and from which part of the airport. Lastly from a controlling standpoint, the entire process is projected across every plane's flight plan and controllers can then assign very specific controls. Our plane at level off might be given a 3 knot reduction to hit a crossing time at BLUZZ for the arrival.
I guess my point is not to be too pessimistic, but also to recognize the threat that is out there. I suggested that we put in the last contract a statement that all FDX flights will be manned by at least two FDX pilots off the master seniority list. I added that to every web poll I took. We need to at least start to protect ourselves. It's not the technology we have to watch out for, but the potential loss of future new hire jobs for others. Fully automated aircraft with pilots in the cockpit will be the last sign we are a dinosaur looking up at the pretty asteroid. We should not wait until then to start to prepare as a union.
By the way, add some of these possible scenarios or projections into the "why are we looking at changing our retirement" discussion.