There are 2 parts to the equation, rate and volume (or time). It is easy
to squeeze one and find the balloon popping out on the other. You need
some control over both. Yes, airplane shop rates are generally lower
than their automotive brethren, however, they don't use flat rate
manuals. So, airplane shops really can charge you anything they want to.
Yeah, I know all about "estimates".

A few thoughts about flat rate manuals. Having one does not guaranty
fairness for the customer or the shop. They are merely guidelines.

Flat rate manuals are commonly written by observing a factory lineman
who does the same operation hundreds of times a day, using special
tools, on a new car. Says so right in the front of the book. In the body
shop industry, this is insane. An 8 year old, smashed and rust proofed
(AND rusted) car fixed in the field with common shop tools means you
will seldom come near book time. What the insurance company adjusters
are told NOT to read is the part in the front of the book that explains
that repair times must be adjusted for damage, rust, lack of certain
factory tools, etc. The time written in the book is gospel to them. You
MIGHT get "teardown" time, usually a couple of hours to untangle a
twisted mass of smashed up steel from a collision. Now, the computers
just automagically pull book times on a nicely printed sheet that they
show the insured. "See, look how wonderful and automated we are so you
(customer) can get an estimate in a jiffy!!!". What they don't tell the
customer is how badly the shop gets screwed by the process, usually by a
shop rate that is HALF what mechanics get.

Mechanical flat rate manuals are written using a new, clean engine.
Bolts don't strip or shear off and absent is the "patina" of a used
engine (1/4" of grease/dirt/oil/rusted crud all over everything). Start
up that engine and drive it for 50,000 miles and see the "magic" that
happens (every bolt freezes, all rubber sticks solid, o-rings freeze to
both surfaces, gaskets weld themselves to everything, etc.).

So, what does a shop do??? They take shortcuts. They skimp on parts
quality. They salvage parts that were supposed to be replaced. They use
gorilla tactics with air tools to remove and replace parts. Airplane
shops simply jack up the time to the point where they make enough money
to survive (or more).

I don't envy shops. That is why I did not take up the family body shop.
Lots of better ways to make a living.

Good Luck,
Mike



G.R. Patterson III wrote:
Les Gawlik wrote:

I know all about the theory behind flat rate books and I can't monitor all
of the work as closely as I'd like, but I can't remember a situation where
the repair took longer than the book allowed.


You've been lucky. I used to know a GM mechanic. Extra time on repairs was
common for mechanics in his dealership. They made it up on other repairs.

Your 9:00 to 12:00 example may well have had several mechanics working on it.

George Patterson
A friend will help you move. A really good friend will help you move
the body.


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