I agree totally with Callsign Zero....in everything you have said....and Boeing trainers even say if you only ever going to read or check 1 FMA then make sure you check and read the CMD FMA as pressing the autopilot button then releasing the controls to look out the window whilst the other pilot is heads down writing or talking to ATC/Changing frequencies can kill you...so read and check that when you press for the AP you get the CMD green FMA...Boeing even made it bigger on the NG than from the CLASSIC to help all us old men with poor eyes.