Is that reasonable in your experience?
Good example, Let's go through it step by step on a standard day
1. It's 08:00 I have 30 divers to check in and get them onto the 3 boats for 09:30. We know the split between AoW and OW, so we can load teh boats accordingly. We know the weather, tides etc so have a broad choice of which site options we have (final decision TDB) Some people will be returning guests, and know the drill, some will be mid course, some will be day divers, some will be starting their course and not yet met their instructor
2. You're booked for a 2 tank dive, and turn up before it gets too busy.
I'd generally show SDI Solo Diver and if nitrox is available I'll show my TDI Normoxic Trimix card, simply because both of these cards considerably trump the recreational cards in terms of evaluation and skill level.
Normoxic Trimix card - has no additional value to us (not a tech dive) The young person checking you in may or maynot know that Trimix means you're Nitrox certified . That person might not be a diver (not all diver centre staff are), So your presenting that card might just cause them to need to ask.
Assume though it's me, my initial thoughts are either you're trying to demonstrate you have some experience or you're showing off - too early to tell (only 2 coffees at that point) SDI Solo get you a mental grade of Basic Tech or DM/DL, in that you *should* be fairly competent. Decent Dive count ratioed with qualifications (i.e not a bunch of cards with limited dives).
At this point I'll put you as "experienced"
'll also make it clear that I'm not staff.
This is just going to rub me up the wrong way. We don't know you so why do you even think we'd entrust you with a customer? You've yet to prove yourself.
expect to be able to slowly bimble around looking at the things that interest me away from the madding thong of the pack.
While we have staff in the water (all instructors - maybe a DM in training) It's buddy diving. We're not guiding you, but you are our responsibility so you'll have eyes on you. We're happily there pointing stuff out to those that want to see, others do their own thing
If a 'buddy' is essential, then I expect one that is competent
This is always THE most difficult. I can't let you solo until I'm comfortable with your competency - to be clear this isn't about the worry that if there's an issue we'll get sued (you cant' in the UAE) but if there is an issue, I go to jail why they investigate the matter - Jail here aren't as luxurious as those in the West.
The main part is I can only choose you a buddy out of the selection I have of people going spare. We try our best. IF there is a significant mismatch maybe a staff member will buddy you, or maybe one of our regular maco photographers may allow you to dive with them as long as YOU are competent (in their eyes)
Buddy matching is without doubt the hardest thing a dive centre has to do, and while it's not ideal to buddy 2 divers of disproportionate experience, sometimes it's unavoidable given the divers registered.