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🚦 Phase Gates

No more giving away Phase 2 work because the tech was too focused on Phase 1.

🧠 Why this exists (the Corvette + Tacoma teaching)

Corvette (Ticket #1985): Auto-to-manual swap. Driveshaft replaced (Phase 1 = done). Trans gear noise revealed during test drive (Phase 2 = new finding). Meticulous tech wants to chase the gear noise unbilled. STOP THE CLOCK. Write Phase 2 estimate. Customer approves. Then continue.

Papa's kinesiology analogy: "Your back hurts so bad but it's your calf muscle. Fix the calf — back pain goes away. The back pain HID the cramp." Phase 1 hides Phase 2 until Phase 1 is fixed.

📂 Open tickets with phase status

#1985 '06 Chevy Corvette · Daniel Beavers · Velocity Yellow · 91,250 mi PHASE 2 PENDING APPROVAL
✅ Phase 1 — Auto-to-manual swap + driveshaft replacement$4,200 billed
Completed by Irwin · May 25, 2026 · No phase-1 issues
⚠ Phase 2 — Transmission gear noise (revealed by Phase 1 fix)$1,800 estimate
Detected during test drive. Most likely 3rd-gear lay-shaft bearing.
🚦 Gate question for Daniel:
"When we swapped the driveshaft, the new quiet driveline let us hear a gear-noise that was hidden before. We can fix it for an additional $1,800 — or you can drive it and decide later. Either way, we close the Phase 1 ticket now so you're not paying for work you didn't approve."

#1992 '20 Toyota Tacoma · Robert Henley · Cement Gray · 58,200 mi MISDIAG · LOSS LOGGED
🔴 Phase 1 — Bearing noise (front bearing misdiag, both sides eaten)$0 billed · $680 ate
Irwin · May 29, 2026 · See Loss Tracker. Irwin not paid for misdiag time.
⚠ Phase 2 — Rear bearing (real cause, confirmed by Mike's ride-along)~$420 estimate
Customer returning for the rear bearing repair. PARTIAL LOSS RECOVERY.
🚦 Gate rule going forward: Bearing-noise estimates from now on include a "noise verification ride-along" as a billable step (Mike's hearing limitation + this case = systemic fix).
#1989 '21 Ford F-150 · C. Tex · Antimatter Blue · 42,100 mi CLEAN — PHASE 1 ONLY
✅ Phase 1 — 10R80 transmission diagnosis$2,150 billed
Jordan · May 28, 2026 · Customer noticed tech enthusiasm for 10R80 (5-star review).
🚦 Phase 2 gate checkno new symptom revealed
Tech answered NO to gate question. Ticket closed cleanly.

📋 The Phase Gate workflow (for the techs)

  1. Tech finishes Phase 1 work, hits "Close phase" button
  2. System asks: "Was any new symptom revealed during this work?" YES / NO
  3. If YES → tech types a quick description → system generates Phase 2 estimate from the codes/symptoms
  4. Estimate texted to customer with one-tap approve/decline
  5. If approved → new Phase 2 ticket spawned, bay clock continues
  6. If declined → Phase 1 closes, car returned, bay frees up
  7. If deferred → Phase 1 closes, follow-up scheduled in 2 weeks