2) The autothrottle is always engaged and pilots are not allowed to disconnect it. This destroys the basic instinct of taking off or putting on power when levelling off after a climb or descent.
Suninmyeys, there is a A/T "DISARM" switch on the forward panel. Flip that switch to 'disarm' and the A/T is taken completely out of the loop. Does your airline prohibit using that switch?