Lone.....when the other human pilot is flying the aircraft do you "guard" the controls in case he does something dangerous?
Climb down off that lofty steed you seem to be sat astride for a moment and consider what GB was really saying....not what you appear to have perceived.
He is not saying you lean back, and drag out a Kool, kick yer dancing pumps off, and prop yer hole filled sock on the center console and tune up your fav raggae music channel......he is talking about letting the Auto Pilot do exactly what it was designed to do....under the direct supervision of a human pilot
That for damn sure is what I am describing....which is not at all what you are describing.
You can attend to other duties in the cockpit while keeping a weather eye on George's performance.
You do understand we do this stuff single pilot in many of these machines don't you?
At some point you have to take your hands off the controls and divert your attention for short intervals out of necessity.
Think not....drop something. you need....and try to hold onto the controls while you fetch it off the cockpit floor....or look up a new. approach plate....or any number of tasks....like figure out a new routing ATC gives you that requires you to look at a paper chart.
Autopilots are pretty reliable these days....as long as you punch the right button or twist the right knob.