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BTW..we set the A/T switch to ARMED on approaching the departure runway
Good idea.
I know some pilots who treat the A/T switch as an "Approved for Takeoff" switch.
Even better.
According to the blurb in the 737 FCTM when Boeing had the huge policy change a couple of years back (ie the F/O does practically all the before start drills while the captain generally looks outside watching for nubiles coming up the stairs) - the A/T armed, as part of the before start procedure, was to standardise with other Boeing models. I cannot see the logic of this argument since before flying one of these "Boeing models" you do a specific course of training for each type. The problem is that Boeing pilots around the world will never get to hear of all the close shaves that must occur - including those incidents involving inadvertant actuation of the TOGA buttons either after start or while taxiing. The old adage applies - "get away with anything long enough and the perceived risk diminishes".