Not shifting?? Missing gears? Where did 1st & 2nd go?

[dvlbug]

I have a 6spd 02 Turbo S - about 89k miles - very well maintained. Just got the oil changed yesterday and was planning on jumping on the interstate and meeting my out of town friend about 2 towns over (she was in looking at wedding venues).

ANYWAY... picked up car and it drove fine - almost got to the interstate and it was like 1st and 2nd gear had just dissappeared. I could put the stick shift where it was supposed to go - but it didn't feel like it engaged. Motor reved w/no problems. Reverse, 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th seemed to work fine - however you can't start driving in 3rd gear (well I can't w/out burning up the clutch).

So AAA towed the car back to my regular VW shop (not stealership) and they're looking at it now - was wondering if anyone else had had this problem.

Yesterday service mgr said that there is some sort of plastic part that breaks and causes this type of symptoms - but after having the mechanic look at it he doesn't think that's it now. Said possibly the #12 fork in the transmission is broken? I'm not worried about getting ripped off (I'm rather confident about this shop - very honest - expensive - but honest) so the money's not an issue - I just hate waiting for bad news!! LOL

I should know something soon - w/in the next couple hrs anyway - but was just looking for some org input...

thanks!