Perhaps the level 2 thinking involves a bit of 'airmanship. Many years ago I was taught to guard the controls below Fl100/10,000ft. Also when approaching level off certainly within 1000 ft. If you.put your hand on the thrust levers you will feel them move, similarly with the yoke. Its all basic stuff, when you fly a light aircraft you guard the throttle, so why oh why don't we do it on large aircraft these days.
I see every day young and not so young modern pilots ignoring the controls, because the autopilot is in. Is it really that hard.
Training has to change as we really are becoming Children of the Magenta line.