?
There are very few times when use of the auto brake system is not required in our ops. regardless of " covering" up poor speed control aimpoint. flare commencement/technique etcetera, autobrakes are a tool. One could plan to turn up with min.fuel on a regular basis as well and that 1.2 tonne less might factor in a 1-2 knot decrease in Vref and groundspeed but who would do so to save the brakes? Its like a mechanic said to a young rev head years ago about effctive braking using down shifting or foot braking. " brakes are a lot easier and cheaper to replace than a gear box". For some time we did no reverse landings on 744 to save a cost around the reverse actuators I think as well as more efficient wearing of those particular brakes. We dont do that any more.
The figures I referred to are brake energy per brake expressed in millions of foot pounds for a classic.