I've been told that todays aircraft just need to be pushed back away from the terminal building, engines fired up, info (sorry, that's data now isn't it?) put in the computer and the pilot doesn't even have to drive it to the end of the runway. It will take off, fly to the programmed destination, land and taxi to the terminal and stop. All the pilot has to do is make sure the plane is functioning and going as programmed.
Garon