The repair methodlogy has been developed and I know for fact that Boeing has been training maintenance personnel in the process. So the guy with the stoney look on his face must have missed that class.
I think the biggest concern is detecting ramp rash before it develops into something more serious. Again there is a tool that detects these types of not so obvious dings.
I have been very disapointed in how Boeing has struggled to get this airplane to market but being a little closer to the subject than some, I expect they will work it out..... at what cost, yet to be determined?