Bill, can't you crack that phone book and get an LA plumber? Even if you pay their ticket on the Express..... you need to get those labor costs on the table before they pull out the wrench.
when I fixed up my place over there, I did that. Just an idea. They actually loved the idea of the trip over...
I am impressed over the years how many very experienced divers, like yourself, service every other year. They usually don't voice it because its a touchy subject, with all the industry people around, but I really do not like having my reg popped open by yahoos. Sure, there are some good repair techs, but do you REALLY know who is doing the work? I am even more careful about this that even analyzing my EAN, to be honest.
I realize I might be a little paranoid about the reg service thing...I have know some of the people who do repairs and it just was never very reassuring.