His thoughts were that currently people won't accept unmanned aircraft and that the pilot would be there for the 1 in million (e.g. Sully Bird Strike & ditching on the Hudson River) incident an autopilot couldn't cope with. Mind you it was his Job we were talking about and he doesn't want to retire anytime soon!
I'm not sure that this scenario would apply for Southern Rail Billingshurst to London Bridge.
No, but the pressure a guard must be under is tremendous. Feet on chairs. Trying to find teenagers who've bunked the fare.