I'm probably missing something very obvious here but is it possible to edit the cut point (caused by highlighting a phrase) within a take lane without it automatically changing the respective cut point in all the other take lanes?
 
I regularly find myself in the situation where words and phrasing on vocal takes overlap between takes and I would be happy with a cross fade between them but cannot make a decent cross fade because I can't manually alter the start and end points of the individual phrases between takes.
 
I hope I am making myself clear?

I'm not at my music computer right now, but I do the kind of editing you mention and a couple different options have worked for me. Try selecting the clip you want to slip-edit, then use the Edit Tool on the selected clip. You might be able to use the main Smart Tool as well.
 
It usually helps to extend the Lane height so you can try the tool in the upper or lower half of the clip. If this doesn't work I'll write up something more definite next time I'm at the music computer.

It seems to me I've had luck by clicking a location in the clip header ( the bar on top of the clip) hitting the s key to split it, then you can slip edit it on its own in the upper portion of the clip edge. 

Thanks I'll try it tomorrow