Willit Run:
As automation becomes more commonplace; we must always ask ourselves, is the automation doing what its supposed to do? We must always crosscheck the automation? Keep that scan going!
You ended the next to last sentence with a question mark. I don't believe that is what you intended. (?)
Unless the crew fully understands the automation and all of its possible annunciations and nuances, they will not be successful (or valid) monitors in all circumstances.
The near loss of the 747 discussed earlier in this thread is a classic example. The autopilot gave a stark indication by attempting to do with aileron what needed to be accomplished with rudder, and the engine instrumentation gave indications, all of which were ignored.
I suppose the Boeing designers could have also been faulted for not having a full-time three axis autopilot on a modern design aircraft. (if my recollection is correct that it was a 747-400.)