@SKS777Flyer
the 777 only auto trims for config changes as you know. It doesn't speed trim which is still a manual input.
May I ask why you are not a fan of this trim setup?
The only thing I have with the system is that there is no trim wheel so you are not very aware of what position the stab is at.
I think the THS has played a massive part in this incident but there is not enough information to deduce exactly what happened. A lack of visual cues I've always had issues with. It relies on an active scan (even in cruise) which as we all know is not something a human being is very good at in states of low physical demand. Combine that with a lack of training (cost/sim limitations) in unusual situation and we can see the holes in the cheese lining up.
Having had TAT probe icing in the cruise (without knowing what to look for!!) we thought it was static around the EECs that was causing the EPR indications and all Perf calcs in the FMC to blank (Also A/T disconnect) therefore never did the QRH drill.
Lesson learned...