In my view they didn't need to keep hands on the throttles as much as they needed to monitor the aircraft roll while in AP.
Of course it helps to recognize the importance of uncommanded thrust changes before you roll over and dive. Several lessons learned in this regard on other than AB aircraft. This accident pushed the learning out in the open very hard. From memory I can think of five or six
I would be very unhappy if the typical airlines flight safety officer doesn't know this today. How it gets to the average pilot is another question (only for me)