The biggest problem I see with remote pax transports is the integrity of the data link. I think it goes without saying that there must be a continuous data stream, and override capability, between a dude in a control center, and the jet with 300 souls on board.
Sounds simple, but it's not. The only technology that we have today, and for the forseeable future, is radio, either atmospheric or satellite. And radio - let's just say we all know it isn't 100%. Think of bandwidth, too. Thousands of jets flying, terabytes of info streaming, and it all must be 100% accurate and error corrected.
It must also be totally secure. "Hijacking by proxy" isn't so far fetched.
Proponents of unmanned transports, please stop comparing what is ultimately a simple military drone with a far more dynamic and demanding passenger system. They're not even close.
We won't see it in our lifetimes, both for technological and for psychological issues. All it would take would be ONE accident where the board concludes "...the presence of a human pilot on board could have saved this aircraft." It'd be all over for unmanned pax jets.
