Flyer 75: Well, I do fly it FDs/AP/AT off regularly and that is just thanks to a chief pilot that believes in the basics - certainly many UK airlines have banned flying in this manner, I know autothrust off would get me sacked at many airlines in the world (Airbus).
It should surely never be a competition to who can knock the most autos off. It should surely be only a challenge getting the aircraft most expeditiously, most fuel efficiently and above all else most safely onto the runway - and if it helps keep your raw skills up, then that is a bonus.
Why the hell do we need a lat/vert deviation check for a visual approach! (with predictable caveat).
Certainly autothrust off is very easy in average weather so long as you know you pitch/power settings - and I hope even those Airbus pilots know the figures