The "BIG" deal is:
ALT LAW PROT LOST
INOP SYS :
AP 1 + 2
A/THR
The airplane had to be flown manually wth no autothrust and no protections while dodging thunderstorms and bad weather.
It should not be a "BIG" deal. Unfortunately it has become a big deal because:
We have been sold the idea that we are not pilots any more but Systems managers.
Airlines have developed a beleif that any one can do the job regardless of experience or ability. The deciding factor in hiring pilots has become who will do it for less. (well anyone can do it, right?)
The punitive nature of some FDM systems have driven many pilots to never flying manually for fear of retribution if they get it wrong.
Advanced rostering programming have given airlines the ability to roster crews to the absolute maximum limits for months on end making fatigue levels soar. Fatigue being also a contributor to crews never flying manually any more.
Ever shortening pilot qualification courses, very limited experience before joining an airline and almost no practice at all on the line means many, many pilots are just not very proficient at manual flight.
The perceptual differences in an airbus between flying on full automatics and Alternate law, manual thrust are subtle. Thousands of hours sitting watching the machine look after itself can condition the pilot to revert back to that assumption when all the automatics are off. Specially if distracted by other factors (weather, troubleshooting, etc).
If controlled manual flight is a challenge for some pilots recovery from a departure from controlled flight at altitude is an almost impossible task for all but the luckiest, the very experienced in aerobatics or the superbly talented ( we don't hire them anymore though )