We are lucky because we are allowed and encouraged to fly no-FD's takeoffs
Lucky indeed. There are some operators where non-FD flying is forbidden, even on a severe clear day and a visual approach. OMG, a visual approach, (which is also discouraged) with an FD means too much thinking, talking, following instead of just manipulating the a/c intuitively. How to make an easy job difficult. What happened to KISS. I guess those guys think that KISS means keep the automatics engaged as long as possible.
I still think it's an interesting debate, which has been touched on previously, is to have A/P ON & FD OFF. The FD will always be centred with automatics in CMD. Thus it distracts from scanning the basics to ensure the automatics are in fact doing what you intend. Remove the A/T and the a/c will stall with the FD's centred. The same if you select V/S on approach with MAA set. The a/c will crash with the FD's centred.
I'm sure the THY B737 at AMS had centred FD's in APP mode when it stalled.
It came a surprise to many students; so "follow the flight director" came with caveats.