Yes, there is a sense from this accident that the crew just weren't 'flying the aeroplane'. As Rainboe points out, I posted similar sentiments a month ago.
But I guess what I'm saying now is what actions need to be taken to stop this happening again? Or becoming a trend for the future?
I'm sure no pilots involved in a 'human factors' accident thought it would happen to them. By the nature of probability, most of us will not be involved in an accident. So our fundamentalist cry of 'just fly the aeroplane', 'don't get distracted', will to a great degree be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
But how do we ensure that 'other' crews will do these things which to 'us' seem second nature?
Let me suggest a starting point. Less focus in type training on the technology of the latest computer controlled system and much more on perfecting handling skills. A back-to-basics approach in aircraft design. In other words, the technology the pilots use should be for the most part invisible, and the pilots should control flight path and systems in what appears to be the 'old fashioned way'. ie, keep pilots in the loop. In line training, PF must be allowed to simply fly the aeroplane. Avoid a company culture of pilots trying to outsmart each other on who has the most technical knowledge, who can program the FMC to the nth degree etc. I'm sure we've all seen it. Keep SOP's and SID's and STAR's and approaches as simple as possible. Regulators, noise task-forces etc must be made to recognise the impact they have on flight safety. etc etc...
Of course, when we add in the cultural element to all this, it's not an easy task.