Just starting out in the flat rate world...it most certainly has some good points and some bad points. When you get good at doing a certain job (after many repititions) you certainly CAN make money on it. However, when the occasional "wierd" or unusual job shows up, you can well lose your shirt. As an apprentice, this is usually the category I currently fall under. As for "air wrenches" and "torque wrenches", again the two sided arguement. Speed (productivity) versus proper assembly procedures. Personally, I would prefer to have my vehicles repaired using proper procedures and torquing specs-wait a minute! THAT'S why I became a repair technician in the first place-to justify purchasing good tools and furthering my education so I could fix my own vehicles-properly! Bottom line-most everyday joes CAN'T repair their own vehicles or WON'T repair their own vehicles. That's where technicians come in. I DO however wish that I worked for an hourly paid shop-not so I could slack off, but so I could take my time to finish the repair CORRECTLY and not have to rush it due to ridiculously low book times for warranty (and sometimes retail) repair.
