Chuck,
i also flew the usual turboprop( metroliner,be1900)single pilot, no autopilot thingy in what you guys call the tornado halley...
I did my share for about 4 years..
Flying a jet is a different ball game.
Using the autopilot does increase your situation awareness by allowing you to use your few brain cells for other activities such as making sure your lnav routing wont take you into a mountain...
Obviously i find a 737 quite enjoyable to hand fly from fl 280 with all automatics off and fds off but only when im not tired and weather/ traffic is good.
Making a point handflying in bad weather or saying that hand flying increases you situational awareness is nonsense.
Would flying without an F/o also increase your situation awareness??
BHKD,
yes on 737 you can change the autobrake setting before reaching 60 kts.
I would not recommend to reselect a lower setting though and espevially not switching it off as it has lead to unwanted rto braking during landing.i am waiting for boeing guys to let me know if they fixed this problem by now..