FullWings, Dash6;
The trick in justifying hand-flying is determining when it is appropriate and when automation is appropriate. A busy (eg, LAX, LHR, FRA, etc) terminal is no place to be hand-flying any transport, large or small, with the other pilot focussed on making the hdg/alt window changes as well as monitoring the a/c and doing ATC. ATC expectations are high accuracy and quick compliance so I would think that the margins are too narrow/small for altitude and heading error and heads-inside in such terminals.
A visual is demanding in relation to the other maneuvers required but, along with steep turns while climbing, descending and in level flight, all on raw instruments, it's part of the skill-set. After a long overseas is no time to be "demonstrating" one's hand-flying skills. Unless adrenaline has been added, they just aren't there and neither is the thinking required.
The sim absolutely does not count. Manipulating electrons and flying molecules are two entirely different endeavours even in a simulator with visual and CATIII certification. It can help with the basics but it's not the same.
All this said, there is no more fun than an L1011 and a Canarsie on the right side...