7p3......<<Our airline doesn't have the VNAV function or autothrottles enabled and hence most of our autopilot climbs/descents are made in either VS (vertical speed) or MCP SPD (LVL CHG), or heaven help us, manual control!
Our FOM states that VS is preferred over LVL CHG because the autopilot "g" authority is lower in VS than in LVL CHG resulting in a smoother ride for the folks in back.>>
This needs investigating. I think it is fairly standard Boeing philosphy of the 737/767/747-400 era that VS mode will NOT give you minimum speed protection. So select a 1500 fpm climb and sit back and get on with something else, and the thing will maintain 1500 fpm whatever happens to speed. LVL CHG mode will hold current speed and let the climb rate fall- much safer.