Agency fees are significant, enough so that I offer different prices depending on which agency’s card the student wants, but they aren’t crippling.
Until recently, the biggest piece of the pie went to the dive center when I worked as a contractor.
Now, the cost of gas to our OW training site is the biggest expense. Two hours each way in my 20 year old truck makes taking a contract teaching assignment a losing proposition.
As a private instructor, I have an arrangement under which the dive center comps me the codes (which they can buy cheaper than I can) if my OW students that I found on my own buy their mask, fins and snorkels at the shop.
Until recently, the biggest piece of the pie went to the dive center when I worked as a contractor.
Now, the cost of gas to our OW training site is the biggest expense. Two hours each way in my 20 year old truck makes taking a contract teaching assignment a losing proposition.
As a private instructor, I have an arrangement under which the dive center comps me the codes (which they can buy cheaper than I can) if my OW students that I found on my own buy their mask, fins and snorkels at the shop.