taz22 once bubbled...
Well.....based on your points I have a few of my own to mention. My LDS WILL NOT rent nor sell tanks or regs or allow you to get a air fill without your C-card if they do not know you.
Secondly, Jimmy B's post about getting your diving training in a weekend seemed to indicate that these people were walking away with a C-card. I called him on that point and you have mentioned about that this is not the case, all they are getting is their confined pool dives. I'm not going to get into the debate whether this is wrong or right it is up to the individual to choose. However, that said, I think that people before they hit the open water should have a good grasp of the scuba skills they need and some pretty decent diving knowledge.