I'm not sure exactly what the deal is with the Minneapolis FSDO except apparently they worship at the altar of automation, basically their viewpoint is that you should operate at the highest level of automation available at all times. Or so I'm told, I didn't ever go to the FSDO to ask them.
xjcaptain; I know you CAN handfly at XJ, I was just observing that most don't. I found that odd based on my previous airline experience. Also I know that the RNAV departure autopilot requirement is an XJ op spec, previously I hand flew RNAV departures with the FD. None of that is an indictment of XJ, I love it. Just pointing out my experience.