thank you claybird.
I had the great fortune to fly the DC9. I think it was better built than the 737 and with less automation. Why Boeing ever came up with CWS is just nuts ...we had a little knob to turn the plane, called< wait for it: the turn knob.
the douglas boys built the plane stronger so the roof would never come off...take a look at the roof of a DC9 and see the ''fingers"on the metal that spred the load out and would break before the main part of the roof so you could see a problem develop before the roof came off.
I think they are called lap joints but can't remember right now.
anyway, the DC9...you became part of it the flight controls and throttles were just extensions of your human hands and feet and because automation was minimal, you never became dependent on it.
Its like working in a tall buidling with an escalator to get you to the office. one day, when the power is out, you won't be able to climb stairs!