It is not surprising to read these posts because they demonstrate how automation has not only blunted pure flying ability but it also encourages a mental fear where suddenly it becomes almost a Mayday situation to execute a normal two engine GA using autothrottle, FD and hands on the stick handling.
I believe that the purpose of the two autopilot approach was strictly for a Cat 2 or 3 autoland or GA. With a DH of 100 or 50RA, it is understandable that a full automatic pilot GA was perceived as a safer bet than a manual GA.
But to consider that a normal manually flown GA with autothrottle and FD is overloading the crew is stretching incredulity a bit too far. Even a simple GA on full raw data and nil automatics should be straight forward to any pilot trained to an average ccompetency. If the pilot is not competent to fly such a manaoeuvre then it would seem good use is not being made of the simulator.
Why are people so apprehensive of a GA in other than Cat 2 or Cat 3 weather, that they have to have to rely on the full automatics as if it was their life. GA are certainly a lot less stressful than landing in a 30 knot crosswind and you don't read too many scare stories about crosswind landings.
Countless trees have been felled to provide the paper for articles on the dangers of total blind reliance on automation. Yet airline ops management continue stumble along the way of total automation as the only way to ensure safe flying.
Even had a new pilot in the simulator talking about raw data braking. He meant manual (non-automatic braking) which to him was almost a PAN situation.