Am I asking too much?

[Gombessa]

As far as the cook thing, I dont get it. Crew is crew. You're in or you're out.

Man, this cook thing is totally gonna keep me up tonight.

 

[xxk8joshxx]

"your expectations may be too high"

When you go to board a boat and they don't have tanks, weights, or a bed for you to sleep in, I think it's fair to say that you didn't feel welcomed or accommodated. I'd say my expectations were to sleep that night and have air to breathe underwater, and they failed to deliver that. No pampering needed, just the basics.

One thing the crew was not responsible for was the attitudes of the other divers who had already arrived on board. As I waited to get on board, numerous people complained that they were going to have to "make room" for us on board, and one guy asked, annoyingly, "how many of you are there?" as if to imply we were imposing on their trip. Now understand me, like scubaE I have pretty thick skin and can dish it out accordingly when people are dicks, but this was completely uncalled for. I know people like there space and take a while on a dive trip to warm up to each other, but I could have been a fresh-out-of-the-pool Diver who would have taken these comments personally and felt like I shouldn't be diving in the first place.

Remember, no matter how many dives you've done,how expensive your gear is, or how much of an ass you are in your non-diving life, you have a responsibility to at least be courteous when around other divers and make them feel welcome. Diving is one of the single most thrilling and relaxing things to do in the world, Don't rob someone else of that joy.

 

[TwinDuct]

"your expectations may be too high"

When you go to board a boat and they don't have tanks, weights, or a bed for you to sleep in, I think it's fair to say that you didn't feel welcomed or accommodated. I'd say my expectations were to sleep that night and have air to breathe underwater, and they failed to deliver that. No pampering needed, just the basics.

One thing the crew was not responsible for was the attitudes of the other divers who had already arrived on board. As I waited to get on board, numerous people complained that they were going to have to "make room" for us on board, and one guy asked, annoyingly, "how many of you are there?" as if to imply we were imposing on their trip. Now understand me, like scubaE I have pretty thick skin and can dish it out accordingly when people are dicks, but this was completely uncalled for. I know people like there space and take a while on a dive trip to warm up to each other, but I could have been a fresh-out-of-the-pool Diver who would have taken these comments personally and felt like I shouldn't be diving in the first place.

Remember, no matter how many dives you've done,how expensive your gear is, or how much of an ass you are in your non-diving life, you have a responsibility to at least be courteous when around other divers and make them feel welcome. Diving is one of the single most thrilling and relaxing things to do in the world, Don't rob someone else of that joy.

Very well said.

 

[Codyjp]

Students get a bad rap on dive boats since the really command where the boat goes. However, new divers are critical to this industry and new divers can also be repeat customers. I think divers all to often forget where they came from. We were all students at one time.

Also, is it true that Greg sold the bottom scratcher? I don't believe it. And his cook, how could you NOT talk to her? She is the life of the boat.

 

[ChrisM]

No, you're not asking too much. But what's the point of the thread? Unless you objectively review - i.e., name - the boats in question, the rest of the so cal diving community is no better off. Clearly, the boats won't change if people keep going on them.

 

[Teamcasa]

"your expectations may be too high"
<snip>
Remember, no matter how many dives you've done,how expensive your gear is, or how much of an ass you are in your non-diving life, you have a responsibility to at least be courteous when around other divers and make them feel welcome. Diving is one of the single most thrilling and relaxing things to do in the world, Don't rob someone else of that joy.

Exactly!


However, and maybe I’m just reading this wrong but don’t all consumer based businesses fall subject to the notion of meeting of exceed their customer’s expectations or fail.

I don’t care to deal with surly people, in any setting. I too have a thick, and some would say too thick, and it takes allot to get me twisted up. However, I can speak out with my wallet. Treat me poorly and I’ll quit using and recommending your business but not until I’ve let you know why and given you ample opportunity to address my issue. Every business can make mistakes and every business owner deserves to be told about it. They then can choose if they feel fixing is warranted.

If a customer has a poor experience with a dive operation or boat and say so here, I like others will take it with a grain of salt. However, I’ve read posts from diver(s) where the shop/boat did treat the diver(s) poorly. The shop/boat then came to ScubaBoard and defended their actions. Sometimes the tone changed when both sides were reveled, sometimes it did not. For me, I want to know if a shop/boat treats people poorly so I may avoid them.

 

[merxlin]

Dave's point is well taken. By naming the boat you also get a sense of whether or not it was an individual "off day", or a trend with that operation as more divers chime in with similar or dis-similar experiences.

Sometimes rude and unfriendly can also be considered as colorful and full of character, it's just based on your perspective. When it truly is rude though, you shouldn't have to out up with that.

 

[scuba e]

I am not into bashing a business or community unless I see what would be considered illegal or unsafe practice. In this case I saw neither.
I also cannot state, without doubt, that this is normal for this boat. I have heard nothing but good about the boat and captain. I do not know if the DM was related to the charter company or the boat and captain. I cannot fairly judge the boat without that knowledge.
I spoke with the captain that night and explained the reasons we were not boarding and made clear my concerns. He was clearly upset. Not with our decision but with the actions that lead to that choice. With luck that will lead to some changes. If that does happen then an attack on his business would help no one. If it does not help then I am sure he wont last. I personaly hope for the former.
As for the Charter group, as much as I would like to name them I will not. For one thing, it would be very easy to figure out what boat it was. For another, when amex tells them the payment was refused this may all get really ugly.
Please understand my true concerns. Poor comunication in how the trip was sold (weights and tanks included) and the treatment of my students. Had I been alone I would have gone on the trip without a second thought.
I hope this clarifies some things.
E

 

[merxlin]

I spoke with the captain that night and explained the reasons we were not boarding and made clear my concerns. He was clearly upset. Not with our decision but with the actions that lead to that choice. With luck that will lead to some changes. If that does happen then an attack on his business would help no one. If it does not help then I am sure he wont last. I personaly hope for the former.

I'm glad you had a chance to talk with the captain, and even happier he had a good attitude about it, as do you. Maybe the next group won't have the same problem.

 

[Kevfin]

"your expectations may be too high"

Never meant that in terms of a dive boats responsibilities to the customer or the responsibilities of divers to new divers.

I read Scuba e's posts to mean that he was frustrated with every dive boat in SoCal. So much so, that he was thinking of throwing in the towel. Since I've never been with Scuba e on a boat, I used the word "may" --- it wasn't a definitive statement. I know everyone can have poor experiences and some boats have a bad reputation, however I know there are a lot of good boats/crews/captains and most people have good to great experiences. If every experience is bad on every boat, not only would that defie the odds, a lot of SoCal boats would most probably be out of business. It's also possible, from what I hear, that the Spectre may be the exception...

In no way was I intending to be harsh. Nor would I want someone that cares as much as Scuba e does about his students to give up instruction. He's obviously passionate & compassionate about scuba.

Remember, no matter how many dives you've done,how expensive your gear is, or how much of an ass you are in your non-diving life, you have a responsibility to at least be courteous when around other divers and make them feel welcome. Diving is one of the single most thrilling and relaxing things to do in the world, Don't rob someone else of that joy.

Completely agree! Like Cody says, we were all students at one time (some of us are perpetual students :blinking: ).

Probably should be a sign like this on every dive boat!

Students get a bad rap on dive boats since the really command where the boat goes. However, new divers are critical to this industry and new divers can also be repeat customers. I think divers all to often forget where they came from. We were all students at one time.

Excellent point and so very true...

...Please understand my true concerns. Poor comunication in how the trip was sold (weights and tanks included) and the treatment of my students. Had I been alone I would have gone on the trip without a second thought.
I hope this clarifies some things.
E

Have you gone on another boat to finish the students?

I know there are good boats in SoCal. There has to be other boats you can try and ones were you can speak to the captain or DM before you book. As an instructor, I'd think boats would want you to be treated fairly and keep you happy, so you'd always consider them when training students.