Afaik autopilot has always played a large role, I used to have a few beers, amoungst company, with a retired SA first officer or engineer - someone in the cockpit anyway, they basically mastered sleeping upright once they reached desired altitude, helpful as they were all hungover as fuck. I'm sure they were all capable though. Autopilot handled 95% of flight even back then - 20 years ago I'd gather given his age. Wasn't a bullshiter about anything else so I'd (I at least) take his account as accurate, esp when hearing about the arms cargo etc.. and meeting other pilots that would visit
