Captjns,
That is all well and good for you're aircraft type and operation.
Mine however, it is prohibited to perform things like FD takeoff. (unless required and in accordance with the MEL)
In all honesty I think on the Airbus types you would be far better of drumming into new pilots the importance of FMA changes and mode awareness.
The automation is there to help us, and make the operation safer and more efficient.
The challenge is to adequately monitor the performance of these systems and to fully understand their objectives and limitations.
Personally flying around with all the kit of in the busy TMA I don't see does anything other than reduce overall SA.