John Gaquin writes:

I used to routinely hand fly to 20-25K on departure, and from 10K down on
arrival, just for the enjoyment of it. There were some exceptions, such as
an approach in serious weather, or at the end of a ten hour flight, when
everyone is already tired. Better to let the machine do it, and just
monitor.

From the way people talk, I get the impression that it may be more fun
flying a simulator than the real aircraft today, since the simulator
offers more challenges and is far more forgiving if one fails to meet
the challenge. I suppose if the simulator run is required to keep
one's job or license, it might be stressful, but surely there is
simulator time available for "fun" or at least discretionary use for
pilots?

As a passenger I always liked takeoff and landing, with cruise being
okay (as long as it didn't last for hours and hours). Nowadays,
though, with all the overhead of air travel, it's just not worth
flying for the short experience of takeoff and landing. I have the
impression that the situation is similar for pilots, with much of
normal flying reduced to pressing buttons and turning dials.

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