BA not a good example anymore, for manual handing practice.
Other than the B744, BA Sops on all new types, mandate full time auto throttle when A/P disengaged, and don't allow raw data handling on route flying even in good weather. LH for example allow manual sped control routinely even on A380, A/P off A/ T off..
Ragged speed control etc. exhibited by PF on the unlatched cowl Airbus incident shows lack of practice in manual handling perhaps.
Only practiced every couple of years in the sim.
Anson, read the quote above. You are not allowed raw data flying, unless you are on the experienced B744 fleet, where you still have aviators. Yes you are allowed to fly with flight directors and autothrottle. But for that you do not need pilots. You can train 10 years old to do that. The problem starts, if you loose all these goodies like an autothrottle and flight directors. And next time for the sake of clarification could you write more than just absolute nonsense? If you are BA and not on B744 fleet, when is the last time you enjoyed manual flying with FDs off Autothrust off?