In my opinion this much loved contempt of new technology by some of the more 'senior' members on PPruNe is because all they are basing their views of FBW and Airbus 'laws' on is what they can pick up from this very site.
If you complete an A320 TR the laws, protections, management and handling of these aeroplanes really are quite straightforward and intuitive.
Trying to understand them when you have 3 or 4 'conversations' on the go on any one thread, with the odd flight simmer popping up to give duff info makes it sound like we are all sitting there with no clue as to what is happening, completely 'out of the loop' and relying utterly on all of the automation so we can actually make it from A to B.
On the line out of probably hundreds(?) of different captains I have had only one who preferred being on an older type.
I am pleased that I fly the A320, I have taken the time and care to ensure that I understand all of the systems and protections.
Granted this means I can't stand around in smoking jackets with my cigar reminiscing of the 'good old days' when 'pilots actually controlled their aircraft rather than damn computers'. What a shame.
Aircraft technology moves on. Get over it.
Rant over.
Let's get back to one of the most interesting threads on PPruNe for quite some time, and let's see if we can actually learn something from this terrible accident.