dropping tranny pan

[the blur]

how the h#ll do you drop the tranny pan on an 03 Denali?
the linkage is in the way. I could get the rear torx bolt out of the linkage, but I couldn't get to the front bolt. so I gave up and just drained the fluid, without changing the filter.

I could remove the front drive shaft to get to the linkage easier, but that seems like too trouble.

could you swing the pan down with wiggling, and leave the linkage in place? I didn't want to try and get stuck half way done.....