Yes this guy could have hand flown the whole way, probably with no adverse situation happening, but if something wrong were to happen, do you think Pinnacle would be there defending the crew saying he was more than qualified to do this, no we would be reading about how the captain made a bad choice, then we woudl have had a revision saying that the auto pilot must be turned on at 600 feet for the rest of the flight.
I say, good job refusing the plane.

THIS PLACE DOES NOT GET IT AND THEY NEVER WILL.