The Boeing 737 vs. the Airbus A320

[IAHERJ]

Gorilla, you are correct. I think they have to stay that way until the -300's and -500's are gone. If we flew them in a classic only pilot base and had a NG base, then we could display what others like Delta, Airtran, etc. display on their 737NG's,however we fly everything and this is supposed to satisfy those who regulate.

 

[IAHERJ]

Now that I think about it, I think it is more of a -300 complete round dial issue we have. Our -500's also have efis displays with speed tape like our 757s. Our B756 pilots fly the 757-200 and -300 as well as the 767-200 and -400. All the above except the -400 have round dial airspeed guages as well as speed tape on the small (737-500 style) EFIS screens. The 767-400 has the large CRT displays and only speed tape and there we are allowed to jump in and out of it after training.

 

[TWA Dude]

Shouldn't the pilot actually be looking at the instruments regardless of who moves the throttles (human or computer)?
Some pilots say that flying "steam guage" aircraft keep you more in the loop as opposed to the fully glass/automated where the pilot is basically a systems monitor.

A pilot's job is to divide his/her attention amongst many duties. Glass cockpits relieve pilots of much of the drudgery and thus allow us to focus on the bigger things. A pilot can still screw anything up but the glass stuff at least helps eliminate stupid stuff like missing switches.

If a computer is moving my throttles around, you can bet I'll be watching the guages just as close and probably closer than I would if I was the one moving the throttles in my non autothrottle aircraft.

Auto-throttles is a work-saving device. It makes our lives easier without compromising safety one bit. Where Airbus screws up is by having auto-thrust, the difference being that the throttles don't move on their own. I much prefer to peripherally see what the throttles are doing so I can immediately grab them if I don't like it. On the Bus they've often spooled up or down before you get to push the button or spin the knob that made them do what they're doing.

Automation is nothing more than a tool. Whether it enhances or detracts from safety is entirely up to the pilot.