Notebook Hardware and Upgrade Questions

I recently purchased an HP Spectre X360 (13-ac033dx) and a Thunderbolt 3 docking hub (1DT93UT).  I'll use the hub when working from my home office.  I have experience with the older HP Elitebook G-series laptops with the mechanically attached docking stations, but this Thunderbolt 3 is a new experience.  I have a few questions for you folks with more experience on the Thunderbolt 3.

1. I followed the Thunderbolt 3 user guide for updating the BIOS.  I also looked for any recommended software updates.  Only the BIOS was updated.  No problems so far.
2. When I plug the Spectre X360 into the docking stating as prescribed, a)  the Thunderbolt 3 power light is always off (no matter how many times I push the Thunderbolt power button or if I plug & unplug the Tunderbolt), and b)  I never see a Thunderbolt icon in the display notification area on the far right of the taskbar.  The user guide says I should see both.  Is this indicative of a problem?   
3. If I push the Thunderbolt power button, it doesn't seem to impact whether or not the latop is charging.   While the laptop is powered on, the power icon on the screen says the laptop is "plugged in & charging." Further, I  must always power on the Spectre X360 using the power button on the laptop, not the one on the Thunderbolt 3.  Is this unique to the Spectre X360 with the Tunderbolt 3 or is there a problem with the Thunderbolt 3 HW/SW?
4. I've set up the display settings so that when the Spectre x360 is attached to the docking station, I only see the display on the external HP monitor attached to the docking station.  I use the facial recognition capability on the X360 with the laptop open to log on, which is fine, but if I close the laptop cover, it appears that the laptop goes to sleep.  My external monitor goes dark.  I'm not used to this behavior on a normal docking station. Typically the external monitor is illuminated while the laptop is closed and the external monitor goes dark when the laptop is opened if attached to the docking station.   Are there some settings I've neglected?
5. Otherwise, the Thunderbolt seems to operate properly. 

Were it to rate the Thnderbolt 3 right now, I'd rate it poorly because of the user experience which is so radically different than I've encountered with past docking stations.  Before I complete the HP survey negatively and advise my many engineering colleagues not to go with the HP X360 & Thunderbolt 3, I want to be sure a)  I haven't missed something, or b) the HW/SW is working properly.

I'd appreciate any suggestions/comments from those of you with more experience.  This definitely is not the behavior I've seen with past HP laptops on docking stations.

Thanks!