Originally Posted by
atlphx
As a student pilot, I just do not understand why anyone would be behind destroying an upper-middle-class career which is becoming a rarity in America.
Exactly. It's as much a government/political problem as a technical one.
Executives see great potential... naturally. Congress not so much.
There is consensus in industry, congress, and even the public that small short-range drones can open up new economic arenas... those will have to be unmanned due to their size, but that does not translate to automated airliners.
Replacing airline pilots will have little to no economic benefit to the public, won't be a "game changer" in travel, will require a vast up-front investment with no near-term return, and still have unresolved safety ramification.
The FAA wants nothing to do with any of it. they don't have the skills, funding, or initiative. They also don't get paid or rewarded to take risks. The only way the FAA is touching any of it is if they are ordered to do so by congress or the executive branch (actually I think congressional involvement will be required due to the need for significant additional funding).
You can safely tune out the background noise from silicone valley and industry associations... the former have more vision than understanding of the problem, the latter will run anything up the flagpole just to see who salutes.