You're using hyperbole to defect discussion, which has been an unfortunate trait running between some very good posts by rail professionals. But to take your bait I did happen to fly exactly the same route to Basel weekly for three years and I can tell you that you get to know every small detail of the journey and you detect any deviation from basic routine in a second. But the crew were happy to discuss the flight in detail, especially the abnormal ones - in fact they enjoyed the chance to discuss the complexities or idiosyncracies of a particular flight if anyone took an interest. Compare and contrast with the sneers and sarcasm of some staff on here whose contempt for their passengers is as unhelpful as it is unnecessary. Most commuters can grasp the issues for and against DOO. I know that the real skill up front comes in handling all the non optimal situations and this thread has been a valuable source of information and insight. Nobody is denying the difficulties of the role, least of all me, but so it is with any job. The constant need of some on here to portray train driving as some kind of arcane process so complex that even discussing it insults the driver is wasting time. After 700 pages haven't we moved past this yet?
We're so fortunate to have members like yourself, sans ego, using hyperbole to deflect alleged hyperbole.
After 700 pages one thing has become apparent - professionals, trained and experienced know what they're talking about. Others don't.
Feel free to move on.