Despegue, Surely you are not advocating disconnecting the automatics in a 777 and hand flying from 40000? VNAV is not a reversion mode, it is the normal mode. The types of events that catch these guys out are " direct to" without modifying VNAV path for MSA and the thing dives like a hawk, then they revert to VS, so we see VS-3000 with MCP 220 and the whole thing is a mess. Generally the ex military guys score well with raw data flying ILS and Visuals but just take longer to grasp the basic operating concepts. We do not teach anyone how to fly, we assume they can do that at the selection stage, we teach them how to operate the systems according to the manufacturers recommendations and company procedures. A quick review of both Boeing and Airbus FCTM will show that where possible leave the automatics engaged..the issue with these guys is always the same..they are not in their comfort zone..it takes time.. the debate on the thread extended to a reflection of hours versus safety, the point I am making is that they are not mutually exclusive