Knowing several dealer mechanics, I can tell you that the more senior they
are, the more they get to pick their jobs.  I don't remember who's post it
was that referred to this "cherry picking" but they were absolutely right.
The new guys get the crappy/dirty work (which in many mechanics' opinion may
be anything having to do with a Vanagon).  This is why the work is often
shoddy.

Also, I have to disagree with Bulley's comment about their income potential.
If a dealer mechanic knows how to pick his jobs, he can make upwards of
$100/hour on "flat rate."  In other words, he learns which jobs he can
actually do in 1.3 hours that quote 4 hours in the Mitchell manual (which is
how you are billed, BTW).  Normally they achieve these "quick" jobs using
some pretty scary shortcuts.  In this example, if he is making $24/hour flat
rate (to use Bulley's number), then he makes $96 for a job that he only
spends 1.3 hours on. That comes to about $74 an hour of real wages.  I know
several mechanics that make close to $80,000 or $90,000 a year working for
dealers.  (In fact one of them drives a 911 and his wife drive a Volvo 850
Turbo).

IMHO, this rush to finish is also why you have this common situation of them
telling you everything is "all set" when in fact, it may even be worse.
(Been there, done that).  I can't believe it is simply that *all* dealer
service managers are idiots.

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA