I think the point is that there are no hard and fast rules for any situation, which is why the decision making models are a good place to start.
Use of automatics is very important (if appropriate). Of course, as BOAC points out, in an unrelaible airspeed scenario the drills are along the lines of F/D's off, A/P off then set appropriate pitch and power. So in that case you obviously would not use the A/P.
Before I embark on a course of action I ask myself/fo why am I doing it, and what are the implications of my action. You can of course change/tweak your decision. That is why the review/check part is so important in DODAR/FORDEC.