it loads up the non-flying pilot to the detriment of his primary role of monitoring and cross-checking.
Primary role of monitoring and cross-checking? I thought one of the main problems with long haul flying was the mind-numbing boredom of automation with its monitoring and cross-checking. Surely anyone with a set of eyes and a brain can monitor a few instruments. You can't have it both ways, you know,
Reminds me of the time I was flying a 737 in perfect conditions somewhere over Europe and decided to hand fly at high altitide and follow the VOR tracks on the flight plan.
I told the 300 hour cadet first officer of my intentions to switch off the FD, AP and AT and fly by hand. He sat bolt upright and was all panicked attention and then I nearly wet myself with laughter when he said he had better don his shoulder harness if I was going to hand fly. Clearly he was seriously frightened!