The Garage Guy Dons a Lab Coat

[mechmike0034]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/11/jobs/11starts.html?ex=1195448400&en=d630c0c741a35ba1&ei=5070&emc=eta1

We aren't all grease monkeys and thieves... The "shift" has a ways to go yet in the real world, though. There are still many shops out there that are still operating like it is 1975.

Flat rate needs to go away. The auto repair business practice of "eating your young" (ask our own uncledaddy what I am talking about here if you aren't sure what I mean) needs to go away as well.

The signs are encouraging, though - as referenced by the article...

[uncledaddy]

Promising article mechmike. You are so right, the flat rate is just a way for businesses to retain employees without guaranteeing compensation for their time unless actual revenue was made by the employee. It causes, in my opinion, poor quality work at times because mechanics speed up work in order to fit more jobs in a short time period, and also causes some techs to recommend unnecessary repairs for mere survival. I've spent, at times, the last 10 years or so trying to assure the customer that not all shops/mechanics are thieves. Tough thing to do in California. The ability to earn a decent income with an automotive degrees will improve a flawed system.

I've seen this industry gradually changing over last decade or so and have tried to stay with the changes. Continuously taking college courses, (mostly electronics/computer diagnostics), and even I am currently falling behind the technology. I remember when all you needed was a good 12v test light and a decent DVOM. Now I'm using PCM scanners and reading electrical waveforms an lab scopes. And the Volt/Ohm meter has given way to Graphing Multi Meters. Funny...I got into this industry when they were still using carburetors and now most drivers don't even know what those are.

Unfortunately for me I've already had enough of the industry. The accident and injury I sustained last year doing transit work did me in. Going back to college in the spring to pursue a Bachelor's in Science