Originally Posted by
Machinbird
Generations of pilots learned to fly smoothly by a proper use of the trim controls. The Airbus architecture minimizes the value of this skill...
Well yes, but that doesn't make the Airbus FBW system bad, dangerous or worse than anything else - it's just an iterative example of how technology has changed. I don't mean to sound disrespectful, but isn't there a hint of "why can't they just do it the old-fashioned way" about that point?
...and modern flight management systems instead place a lot of importance on typing skills and staying ahead of the computers. The job is changing, but occasionally the old skills are all that stand between success and abject failure.
That's a different issue - modern FMS is not related to how Airbus set up their FBW flight deck - indeed it's not even an Airbus-only issue!
In this case, the old "fly by trim" skill would not have helped. All they needed to do was leave the stick alone and see how the aircraft behaved after AP disconnect. Of course, they should know enough to check the trim wheel setting if things are doubtful, and correct if necessary, but you can train that in the sim.