But your counter argument actually supports my case!!
In that instance the pilots did not realize that auto throttle was not engaged early on the approach and spend so much attention on attempting diagnosis as to why the aircraft went below the glide path that the didn't fly the plane.
I agree that Europe has much stronger training and testing environment(s) than the US. After nearly killing myself my first year of commercial driving (I was 18) I spent a long time training with police class 1 drivers in England leading to passing the Institute of Advanced Motorists driving exam and then becoming an instructor.
My CA driving test got a fail. Why? Because after demonstrating that I could reverse along the kerb in the DMV car park, I didn't use my indicator (turn signal to my US readers) to pull away from a kerb in a deserted car park. Part of the advanced driving ethos is providing signals when useful to other road users (yes, including pedestrians) and I usually still abide by that 50 year old training. When I lapse and signal when we are the only road user and Ms Jody is in the car, she will tease me with "Ah, becoming an American huh?" or some such similar jibe. She also comments if I use someones drive entrance to turn around (in the UK, were guns allowed, such an offense would result in an instant response.)
So, if all automation is turned off, how CAN I reverse my car? It isn't a mirror, it's a camera. And if you suggest using mirrors to reverse, when I do that - routinely I might add - Americans react as though Yoda has given me some of his powers!!!
There is an adage that we can borrow from aviation - the need to FIRST fly the plane! In a car - so far - it's easy. Hitting the brake disconnects all (at least as far as my experience goes) automation and you DRIVE THE CAR.
Back to Asiana, the pilots didn't throttle up until too late in the approach, yet that option, manual throttle control (fly the plane), existed all the way down the approach.