One thing I rarely hear mentioned is even if the technology is there for RC drones replacing aircraft, is how much higher the insurance rates will be----which of course would likely offset (luckily) any cost savings for airline management.
Notice how much more $$$ insurance is for even already existing single pilot flown A/C in business aviation that usually are flown as a crew (KA 350, CJ2, etc) vs what is charged for these planes flown as a crew.
I just dont see, even if technologically possible, that the insurance companies are going to willingly expose themselves to this risk, without a HUGE increase in premiums....more than offsetting what it costs to pay a 2nd pilot.