Hi JT,
All very true.
In the past we were familiar with the way conventional aircraft "felt" with the autopilot out. We knew how to trim precisely for speed and power changes. But there is less familiarity with FBW aircraft. The only time I've "felt" Alternate or Direct Law is in the simulator. When the computers get false air speed inputs, and the FBW logic downgrades, the best time to practice is not in the middle of a thunderstorm.