BTW, we all hand fly the 777 up to cruise (or at least above FL250) and on approach.
Doesn't RVSM airspace require the autopilot to be used? Previous company used to say "no, it's just required equipment" and current operator is more along the lines of "use the ******* autopilot".
I fly the 787 - clean speed is usually above 250kts for us but the FMC picks the higher speed after flap retraction so never been caught out.