Transfusion98

We validated using Anti-C3 in a Neutral Gel card.

We use combo gel card IgG/C3 In case the result negative is great. if the result positive then we do tube method IGg and(C3b,-C3d).

Absolutely the advice given to you was correct.
For a start off, as you say yourself, 80% of A2B individuals do NOT make an anti-A1, but of those 20% who DO make an anti-A1, how many will make that anti-A1 as a result of immunisation as a result of transfusion or pregnancy?  The answer to that, if you read any book concerning blood group serology (and that is NOT a criticism of you - we all started somewhere, including the very best, such as Herr Dr Willy Flegel, and others - and I have HUGE respect for Willy), you will see that a clinically significant anti-A1 is amazingly rare.
For an anti-A1 to be clinically significant, it has to react strictly at 37oC, and that is a VERY rare "animal", and no example of anti-A1 has EVER been implicated in a case of HDFN, so, PLEASE, do not worry about giving A1B (or even A1) blood to an A2B individual, even if they have an anti-A1 in their circulation, UNLESS they have an anti-A1 that is actually active at strictly 37oC.

Back to the original comment about the use of expired panel cells.
Here is the AABB Standard (IRL Standards 5.1.4.2):
"The criteria for the use of non-FDA-licensed reagents (including expired reagents) shall be defined."
The standard does not mention a specific QC requirement, only that there must be defined criteria for use.
Our lab discards panel cells 2 months after expiration. We do not perform QC on these cells.

As long as the anti-A1 remains "cold reacting" only, and the thermal amplitude does not widen, the clinical significance remains as "not clinically significant", and, personally, I would happily transfuse blood by electronic issue.
Even if the thermal amplitude does widen, unless the anti-A1 actually reacts at strictly 37oC, it will remain as "not clinically significant", but I would, nevertheless, perform a serological cross-match - "just as belt and braces".

Unlike alloantibodies that disappear, and can no longer be detected, auto-antibodies can be disregarded once they disappear and can no longer be detected (from the point of view of cross-matching, if not from a clinical perspective). Therefore, I see no reason why an immediate spin cross-match should not be sufficient (and safe) for these patients.

We evaluate every anti-M, each time, for 37 degree reactivity.  Not taking any unnecessary risks.  Although I still have a few techs who will screen units regardless of clinical significance on the basis of "I see it, so I can't ignore it."

If my antibody screen is negative I don't go looking for trouble.  I use a 3 cell screen so homozygous cells are present - I don't run 2.