Can't agree more. The better your scan and motor skills the better your stuational awareness. That simple formula has yet to be disproved. I have seen many inexperienced pilots attempt to "make" the autopilot do something that was needed in a hurry. The real solution was to disconect everything (even for just a while) and sort it out the old fashioned way and then plug it back in. There is some very interesting research out recently about TCAS events handled badly. Specifically adjust vertical speed. This would not be so if the whole culture was more hands on friendly. It's got to be a happy medium between automatic and manual. We've gone too far towards the automatic. I've been at work and the autopilot is U/S. The MEL (and the company) quite rightly say "operate the aircraft". (Ok you may not be in RVSM airspace but you're still going).
Are you ready for that tomorrow?
Those with experience must demostrate to help those without. Good weather, not tired, blah, blah, etc., of course...