Dozy, nobody is saying handflying for RAs is not SOP, but as BUBBERS said, it's the transition from fully automatic to fully manual, in short order and in "startle" mode which should not faze anyone professionally trained and in practice.
And it can still be smooth and avoid launching CC and pax into astronaut mode whilst achieving the desired result.
Are we in agreement that manual flying skills are in decline and airline management/training departments have to take some share of the blame?