Originally Posted by mike734
Let’s just say auto-throttles seemed like a good idea that day.
Many of us have experienced mountain wave activity with the autopilot engaged and without auto throttle too. As speed decreases, power is added to avoid an underspeed or approach to stall condition. As speed increases, power is decreased to avoid an overspeed condition. If power is insufficient means to combat mountain waive activity then the altitude hold feature, is disengaged and pitch is used to prevent over or under speed conditions, and ATC is advised accordingly. No matter the sophistication of the auto-flight system, Mother nature usually wins out.
So lets just say that in the conditions you cited, auto throttles would not be of any help either.