Originally Posted by
Check Airman
I've seen that technique. Always struck me as odd. Why not just turn off the AT?
From an outsider's perspective (non Airbus and non autothrottle pilot), I'd guess "taboo." That uncomfortable feeling in the back of your mind that doing the thing, in light of how it's not usually done, especially with someone else watching, feels wrong to do
as if it's against a rule even though no such rule exists (nor is it dictated by any considered prudence.... or even where prudence would say that it's actively counterproductive)
Kind of like how people will leave the FD up when they obviously have no intention of following it, (and there is no FD mode that will make it track what they intend to do) yet it just...
feels wrong to turn off.