Centaurus: I sometimes wonder why people make an easy job difficult.
I guess it depends on your SOPs. As part of our general SOPs for all fleets we have to "guard" (have the hand on them) the controls below FL150 with the autopilot engaged.
What's it got to do with SOP's? Airmanship is an SOP, IMHO. Covering the controls on approach is surely an airmanship item. I've flown with the trained monkey brigade and it is very disturbing. "it's to an SOP, so I don't do it." "Where's that written?" For gawd's sake!