Sabenaboy, thanks for the very well done summary of the importance of hand flying. Yes, all pilots should feel confident at any moment to disconnect all automation and hand fly with no doubts of the outcome. We should use automation as a tool, not a crutch.
Even at high altitude disconnecting the autopilot should be a non event to correct a faulty autopilot. I know the newer rules don't allow operation at these altitudes with inop autopilot because of reduced FL separation but before that it was legal to dispatch a flight with inop autopilot with no altitude restrictions.
I can't see how a pilot could let skills decay to the point he lacks the confidence to disconnect at any time.