I don't think anyone's trying to argue the point with you ... but rather point out that you seem to have a misimpression of how the industry works. As a matter of perspective, agency standards are generally pretty low. Meeting them doesn't always guarantee a quality class. Most good instructors use the standards as a baseline, and seek ways to improve the class by exceeding them.
I admit that I have no idea if our instructors have ever been checked up on, but I suppose it does have a lot to do with the individual instructor
Yes and no ... individual instructors bring a great deal to the table. However, instructors who work for an LDS have to answer to the business owner. And since dive instruction is often (usually) sold as a loss leader, there is constant pressure to keep the costs of conducting a class to a minimum.
As an example ... when I worked for a shop, they set a limit on the number of hours of pool time I could offer ... because pool time costs money. As an independent, I can set my own limits.
From a purely business perspective, the cost of running a class has to consider:
- the purchase of student materials from the certifying agency
- the cost of the c-card (agencies don't give them to instructors for free, after all ... we pay for them)
- the instructor's pay
- some amount to cover "overhead" for the business that's selling the course
- some profit for the business owner
As an independent instructor, I do not have the last two costs ... therefore I can either pay myself more, or I can put more costs into the class (e.g. additional pool time), or I can reduce the price of the class. Two of those three options ultimately works out to the benefit of the student.
I know for a fact that our shop management DOES insure that ALL the staff follow agency standards
How do you know that? Have you read the agency's Standards and Procedures? Have you audited classes other than the ones you've taken? Or are you simply taking the word of the business owner?
Some might argue those points, but others might say that an independant is more likely to slack off on points if they don't have to answer to anyone.
Some might argue that ... but they wouldn't have any factual basis for their argument. Most independent instructors I know ... including myself ... have worked for dive shops, and decided to go independent because we decided we could offer our students a better class without having the pressures of covering LDS costs dragging us down.
Let me repeat, I'm not here to start an argument about which is better, who is right or who's got the biggest (insert body part here). I simply posted my view, now lets get back to the main topic.
Sorry ... it doesn't work that way. You're entitled to express your opinion. I'm equally entitled to tell you why I disagree with it.
Sorry for pulling the thread off course. I would have to say that a DM that can both provide a service AND interact without any business motivations is desirable. Someone that is only looking to make a buck then people will most likely try to avoid that person.
That's a rather idealistic viewpoint. Once you make the investment to become a dive professional ... and that investment is significant ... your motivations WILL be business motivations. Otherwise, why do it? Dive professionals who don't look at it as a business won't long remain dive professionals. Welcome to the real world.
Out of curiosity ... what qualifications do you have for stating that independent instructors are somehow less likely to provide quality education than dive shop professionals? You're entitled to express your opinion ... but it would help if you had some factual data or experience to back it up.
... Bob (Grateful Diver)