Despite lip service by some operators on the need to remain competent at non-automatics, the fact is most airlines insist on full use of automatics at all times. Basic flying skills then fly out of the window. It then becomes safer to stick to the automatics. Catch 22.
There is an old and oft repeated saying when speaking more than one language … “if you don’t use it, you’re going to lose it…” and I, for one, strongly believe that applies to basic flying skills at least as much, and perhaps more.
Both statements, in my humble opinion....absolutely positively correct, without a doubt.