Using automation during marginal weather, operating in high density airports, non normal conditions or when fatigue maybe a factor just makes good common sense. However implementing a blanket SOP which mandates the use of autopilot during all phases of flight is not a good practice from a safety point of view in my opinion.
Typically wide body operators fly longer sectors resulting in fewer take off and landings per month. In my company our FO's may only get one or two sectors per month and spend the rest of the time dozing for dollars as we operate with augmented crews most of the time. So i encourage them to hand fly when conditions permit inorder to refresh there handling skills. We all know the autopilot can fly. Infact our MEL authorizes the crew to fly up to 8 hours with no autopilos although i would dread ever having to do that.
And i can personally say that my handling skills have deteriated over the years flying a 744, infact we refer to the 400 as a retirment acft..But then again i'm not the "Ace of the Base".