jack_schidt starts from the premise that flying manually is somehow inherently 'less safe' than flying with the automatics. Such an assertion is simply wrong. Using the inappropriate level of automation for the prevailing conditions is what is inherently unsafe.
The 'gates', stability criteria etc. are exactly the same regardless of the level of automation employed, and I'd even suggest that there is a noticeable tendency to fly more conservatively when flying manually that when making full use of the automatics.
With proper training and regular practice (as both PF and PM) manual flight need not degrade safety at all.