The Jaded Mechanic

06/17/2026

Flat rate has always been a big conversation in the automotive industry. For some technicians, it has created opportunities to earn great money, but for others, the consistency just isn't there.

The problem many technicians experience is not having control over the amount of work available. You can have great days and strong paychecks, but if you can't consistently hit your hours every week, it becomes difficult to build a stable income.

A technician shouldn't have to wonder if they're going to make enough hours to support themselves. A successful shop should create an environment where technicians have the workflow, support, and tools needed to succeed.

At the end of the day, it's not just about how technicians are paid—it's about creating a system where both the shop and the team can win.

What's your experience with flat rate? Has it worked for you, or do you think the industry needs a better approach?

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06/16/2026

06/16/2026

Mopar or no car! I used to tell customers and friends all the time that was all they needed to know when shopping for a vehicle. Now obviously ive learned its not that simple in today's market but I'll always have so much love for that brand and what it represented. My friend Daniel Whitehead came up similar to me in the industry via starting out at a chrysler dealer in the Toronto Ontario area and we shared our experiences working on and driving the higher powered dodges. Im almost back to normal after having a Demon and a TRX in the shop this week so this was a fun conversation. Daniel shared with us what ultimately lead to him leaving the dealer network for a fleet job and it really reiterates what the industry surveys are showing that techs dont quit usually over money but because of culture. The industry needs less division between where we all work and more unity in actually listening to why techs are leaving and how we're gonna fix that. So let's work towards actually fixing it instead of just burying our heads in the sand claiming my shops not responsible. I wanna reach out to any of my listeners that are fisherman like me and encourage you to share your photos of the fish youre catching on The Jaded Mechanic page. Thats some positivity we should be sharing.

The Jaded Mechanic Podcast · Episode

06/14/2026

Most people don’t realize how technicians actually get good.

It’s not just training courses or shop experience—it’s the hours nobody sees.

Watching diagnostic videos at night.
Replaying real-world case studies.
Trying things at work the next day just to see if you understood it right.

That’s how a lot of great techs are built.

And for many, educators like ScannerDanner weren’t just content creators—they were part of the foundation. Quietly shaping how people think, test, and diagnose long before they ever meet them in person.

Then one day you meet them… and they’re exactly what you hoped. Humble. Grounded. Still just focused on the work and helping the next person get better.

It’s a reminder that influence in this industry doesn’t always come from titles or shop walls.

Sometimes it comes from a laptop screen at 10PM, when someone is just trying to get a little better than they were yesterday.

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06/13/2026

The biggest shift in a technician's career often isn't a new tool, a pay raise, or a certification.

It's curiosity.

At first, many technicians show up to training because they're asked to. They sit in the back, keep quiet, and wonder if it's really worth their time. But something interesting happens when they're exposed to the right environment and the right mentors.

They start asking questions.

They want to attend more classes. They want to learn new diagnostic techniques. They become interested in tools they've never touched before. Suddenly, they're asking if they can spend time after work experimenting with a lab scope on a loaner vehicle just to better understand how it works.

That's when real growth begins.

The goal isn't to know everything. The goal is to stay curious enough to keep learning. The best technicians aren't the ones who have all the answers—they're the ones who never stop asking questions.

Create an environment where learning is encouraged, mistakes are part of the process, and growth is celebrated. When that happens, training stops feeling like an obligation and starts becoming an opportunity.
That's how great technicians are built.

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06/12/2026

People see a $150–$200 door rate and think shops are getting rich.

They're not looking at the full picture.

Technicians are expected to invest tens of thousands of dollars in tools. They spend countless hours in training. Shops invest in equipment, software, facilities, and ongoing education just to keep up with modern vehicles.

Yet somehow, many people still expect labor rates to be stuck in the past.

It's not 1982 anymore.

If we want to solve the technician shortage, we have to create a career path that's actually worth pursuing. We can't tell someone to spend years developing their skills, buy $50,000 worth of tools, and then expect them to be satisfied with wages that don't reflect that investment.

The automotive industry doesn't have a skills problem.

It has a value perception problem.

If we want the next generation of technicians, we need to show them a future where this profession can provide a great living, a clear career path, and the opportunity to earn six figures.

Because talented people don't avoid this industry because the work is hard.

They avoid it because they don't see the reward.

Do you think most customers understand what it actually costs to run a modern repair shop?

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06/12/2026

Well I don't know what your guidance counselors told you in high school but mine told me I needed to actually put some effort into my classes and stop challenging the teachers on all kinds of issues. So I enrolled in shop class. And now look at me. I Bet none of those counselors ever got their face screened onto on a baby onesie. One of our recent guests shared this photo with us and I think its just too cute not too share. So if you wanna help send some deserving people to training in 2027 head over to our merch store and grab some cool gear for the whole family.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1LDUaeTooS/

06/11/2026

If we’re serious about fixing the technician skills gap, we have to change the story we’re telling the next generation.

Too many young people look at this industry and see low starting pay, expensive tool costs, and no clear path forward. They hear, “Come change oil for $10 an hour,” while being expected to invest tens of thousands of dollars into their career. That’s not exactly a compelling future.

What we should be showing them is a roadmap.

Show them how they can build a career that leads to six figures. Show them the training, certifications, and milestones required to get there. Be honest about the work it takes, but also be clear about the opportunities that exist for those willing to put in the effort.

The interesting part? Once people can see the destination, getting them to embrace training becomes much easier.

People want to learn when they understand why it matters. Plant the seed. Give them a vision for their future. Then provide the tools, training, and support to help them get there.

The skills gap won’t be solved by talking about the problem. It’ll be solved by creating a path worth following.

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06/10/2026

Is AI coming for service advisors?

Not so fast.

While some people talk about AI replacing service providers entirely, the real opportunity might be much simpler—and much more useful.

Imagine a phone call where the customer doesn't just book an appointment. AI asks the right questions, gathers details about the concern, and sends the shop useful information before the vehicle ever arrives.

Instead of:
📞 "Mrs. Smith is coming in."

You get:
📞 "Mrs. Smith is coming in for an A/C complaint. The system isn't cooling, and it's worse during idle."

That's not replacing people. That's helping shops gather better information, improve communication, and create a smoother customer experience.

The question isn't whether AI will replace people.

The question is: How much time could it save your team?

🎙️ Listen to the full conversation and let us know: Would you trust AI to answer your shop's phones?

Watch the full conversation 🎥 — link in comments 👇