His original statement was there are only a dozen or so switches and
buttons.

No, I believe his original statement related to those buttons which
are required for the pilot to manually control the aircraft and over
ride the active route in the Flight Management Computer and those
buttons are on the Mode Control Panel which is a portion of the panel
above the 'glass cockpit' and below the window. The overhead panel
and many other panels are NOT required during the majority of flight,
they are for pre-flight and engine starts. The majority of the
console between the pilot and his first officer are for radio,
navigation radios, TCAS, transponders, weather tracking controls,
autobrakes, passenger signs etc.

I keep posting this typical approach and landing of a real 747-400.
Whilst the FMC has the active route ATC require the pilot to retain
certain headings, altutude and speeds which are ALL entered via these
'dozen or so switches', watch it and you will see. This isn't coming
from my perspective or MXs but Boeings
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ShBOtPiuNM

Ibby