STS
Retarding the levers to idle really has nothing to do with bringing the engines to idle, they are already very close to ilde by the AT It's a metaphor for the pilot to tell the plane "we are committed to this landing". It really disconnects the AT and enables the GS and AB system.
For a CFM-56 Ground Idle N1 is about 19.5%, typical appraoch N1 54%. Quite a difference, not "very close to ildle (sic)" at all. As the T/L is retarded it reduces the thrust, if you don't then the A/T would increase thrust to maintain IAS. It has everything to do with bringing the engines to idle, and is not a figure of speech at all.
the same TL also controls the reversers, which might have added to the confusion in this case.
Never found them confusing myself. No need to move your hand to another set of levers - what could be less confusing?
first, if they were moving with AT (or flown manually) there's just no possibility that they would be sitting in the CLB detent. Very simple, no room for error.
IIRC if you go back through this thread you will find examples of that error on some of Mr. Boeing's finest - we are all human whatever type we fly. I assume you fly - your profile does not say?
Cheers, TP