Tail dragger vs. tricycle gear is not exactly the same as old fashioned vs modern. If all I ever flew off of was pavement, a tricycle gear airplane would be perfect. If I wanted to regularly visit some rough, back country strips, I'd probably want a taildragger. You use the tool to fit the job and tail draggers will always be around to fill a niche. The fact that TDs require specific training and increased insurance costs probably reflect their use as bush planes as well as their increased requirement for finesse on takeoff and landing. A TD checkout is definitely on my short list of things to do.
