Very good thread. It can clearly be seen that there is great feeling on this.
Another life working for a far eastern airline B747:
Company SOP at that time, autopilot must always be engaged above ten thousand feet.
Captains always used autoland because a "Red Flag" (little bit too high or low on final approach or a little bit too much or too little power on same occasion) on the FOQA would mean a "day off " spent in chief pilot office making a self criticism and promise to "never do it again".
Volunteer for manual and flight director off approach on simulator check? You must be joking!