It actually sounds like that Airbus has embraced common sense designing the Type Rating program for the A350. First few sessions all manual flight, learning to fly the aircraft. Only when you are happy flying the aircraft with all the magic off, do they introduce the automation.
I think many other airlines could learn from this approach. As I understand it, the big European Locos emphasise SOPs and full automation use from day one on the type rating, and only introduce manual flight techniques much later in the programme. Visuals are taught on the line if at all.
My view on the Bus is that the protections and FBW worked well when flown by pilots whose grounding was on the 737-200 and other very basic aircraft, but is not such a good idea to teach people on from as little as 80h as the MPLs do these days.