For the moment I’m leaving the automatics on in the aircraft until I feel comfortable with the extra workload involved in hand flying.
Believe me that moment will never come because by the look of things you are already hooked on to the automatics as a crutch. Do you mean you are 'uncomfortable' when hand flying? Hand flying - extra work load? This comment is not meant to be derogatory in any way since probably 90 percent of airline pilots would feel the same way. What should concern is proof positive that so many of todays airline pilots are seemingly apprehensive of going "Click - Click" and grasping the nettle of hand flying for the enjoyment of being at one with their aircraft. I suspect that often the real reason for hanging on to the automatics is the fear of stuffing up in front of the second in command? .