. . . and in fully manual mode, out of all detents, the Airbus thrust levers work just like any other thrust lever/throttle/loud-lever. One just has to be aware of what the autothrust was commanding prior to disconnect, and what it will command upon re-engagement, lest one be surprised. My informal "test" was, if one can go from fully automatic flight to fully manual and back to fully auto again without the passengers noticing, the pilot understands the autoflight/autothrust system.