I don't recall working with anyone (16 years of multi-crew ops) that has less ability yet he's so quick to remind me that he's got "1500 hours on type". Offer any advice and he runs to management complaining about the 'bastard captain' which I most definitely am not.
With all due respect, that is just an incompetent who probably shouldn't be on the flight deck --- not an argument for flying on A/P.
If the passengers can tell the difference between the A/P and hand flying, that is a measure of how somebody's hand flying skills have deteriorated or were not good enough in the first place.
Tootle pip!!