You know this discussion could go off into many different directions, Flat rate, rework, state laws, honesty etc.
From what I have seen there are people that have mechanics tools that can change leaky hoses, change mufflers and install a new water pump. Then there are technicians which in my experience make up about 1 out of 25 people who call themselves mechanics. They are phenomonal at what they do. They can troubleshoot anything. Many customers want to know what the hourly rates are but what does it matter if a technician can troubleshoot and fix a truck in 20 minutes when the mechanic spends 3 hours on it and is still lost.
Sorry to say that I see a lot of misdiagnosis both with our company as well as our competitors. How many times have you seen a transmission problem misdiagnosed where the mechanic detects a little burn smeel to the fluid and condemns the transmission or worse yet when the truck has no power because of a misadjusted inching rod and they say the transmission is junk.
It is easy to tell that a lot of people on this forum are proud technicians and are adddicted to it. But put yoursel in management's shoes once in a while and we have to put up with the rework/mistakes/misdiagnoses with the other 24 mechanics and worse yet most of those 24 already know everything anyway. Those will say that yeah you adjusted the inching valve and get the truck to move, but it still needs a transmission.
How about the mechanics that want to take something apart to see whats wrong with it. The technician will never take anything apart until he knows what is wrong with it.