We now live in an age where we are encouraged to use automation to the full on the line (hand flying an approach is frowned upon) and then every 6 months go to practise in the sim only to find that we are advised to use the automatics to the full in there as well.
Where and when are we supposed to practise the most basic of flying skills ?
You know what?
"Frowned" ? I don't care! I do about 50% of the approaches out of 10k feet manually, traffic and weather situation permitting.
Europe, major carrier, short range.