Not a Airbus pilot , Boeing for about , well, ok, all of my life. But, don't you chaps have a sidestick posn indicator? I played in our A340 sim and noticed that there was one, right in front of my face. It was repeated on the other side. Oh, and about Captain's returning after a short break; mate of mine converted to A340 after years on Boeings. During Line Training, Instructor felt safe enough to leave the Flight-Deck. Matey spotted some weather, did a bit of smart Nav, reduced speed to Turb penetration (which was below that lovely little fella... 'Green Dot ' !).Trainer returned and roasted my mate for 'Allowing the speed to fall below green dot'!Big lecture ensued regarding the A340, hot & heavy and not being able to recover the speed loss other than inducing a shallow decent. For the most part, the debate is valuable. safe flying.