oh Exteme P,
Nice shameless copy and paste of Bulfer and Gifford page 119 I believe !
Perhaps you could mention their name next time you use it.
The one main advantage of moving autothrottle levers is that it allows you to instintly see what the automatics are asking or not asking the aircraft to do (when holding them). Much better feel than a command thrust presentation. Particularly good in determining whether its going to handle the next speed variation or windshear on approach that you know is coming but it doesnt.
The need to know philosophy difference between Airbus and Boeing is surprising. I still cannot believe Airbus get away with not letting the Pilot know when an autopilot degradation occurs ie no aileron control but no message in the Russian crash.