Servicing transmission

A couple of days ago I took my 96 Chevy Blazer into a place called Mr. Lube. I could do the transmission service but it can get very messy so thought I would splurge. They have a machine that uses the transmission pump to pump the old fluid out and new stuff follows in. It appeared to work very well. Then they came to the part where they were going to drop the fluid again and change the filter. They told me they would not be able to get the pan off without removing the cross member and possibly some of the exhaust. I have a manual and it does not even mention the cross member being in the way. Was I told something that wasn't so? Or is there a problem getting the pan off of the transmission?