The fun stuff is easy.
The bottom line for the pilot profession is that traditional PF/PNF(PM) procedures are generally personally very satisfying for the PF. But they are not so great for the PM, and sometimes catastrophic for the paying passengers. Whatever pilot skill and experience levels actually exist in the cockpit, the public are entitled to expect that Captains will do the hard things that they are paid for. That means Captains making the most critical safety judgments and the most difficult decisions, and carrying out the most challenging aircraft handling tasks.
Just "driving" the aircraft may be the most "fun" part - but it's also the easiest. Every newly qualified First Officer should be able to fly the aircraft satisfactorily on instruments - but is not guaranteed to be able to do much more. Captains don't need to prove they can do that, and should be perfectly relaxed about sitting back somewhat from routine PF functions.
In the 21st century, the Captain's primary role must be as aircraft Commander doing the "big stuff" that makes flying safe, not as a driver who mostly programs the autopilot.
The recommendation to use PicMA in instrument conditions and at night will reduce the risk of pilot errors due to poor cockpit management by:
- Increasing crew interaction and teamwork in descent and approach planning
- Providing better protection against "tactical errors" and "errors of omission".
- Reducing monitoring /challenging errors
- Improving threat and error management, due to better distribution of crew workload prior to problems being encountered
- Improving communication effectiveness between crew and ATC
- Reducing plan continuation errors
- Ensuring a fail-safe mental model for the PF
- Reducing "startle factor" if an unexpected go-around is needed.
- Providing additional safety measures when practicing manual flying on highly automated types.