OP
Coldwater_Canuck
Contributor
So in general, it's more about getting some people and requesting a course rather than having a set schedule?While they may offer 25 individual courses, I doubt it is UTD's goal (at least in the near term) to continually teach them all.
Both GUE and UTD are demand oriented agencies rather than supply oriented agencies.
Students who want these classes either travel to where they are given (see amascuba's report of his Fundamentals class) or fly in an instructor to their location. Friends of mine, for example, recently took GUE Tech 2. They did a weekend in Florida with their instructor to begin with, and about a month later, flew him out to Monterey to do the experience dive portion of the class. It is an expensive way to take classes, but then again, people looking for inexpensive classes are not going to choose these agencies, anyway.
UTD is a very new agency, and will undoubtedly expand its instructor core slowly and carefully. GUE is also expanding slowly. I don't believe either intends to challenge PADI for world domination. Realistically, as Peter says, most people learn to dive to do a few dives on vacation, and although they would all benefit from the skills taught in these classes, few even know they exist, or would be willing to put the money and time into developing them.
People who take these classes tend to be highly motivated, avid divers, and prioritize superb training to the point of being able to do what it takes to get it.
Makes sense, thanks.
One question though: how can you successfully fly in an instructor or fly to somewhere when you don't know how long the course will last? Aren't these agencies notorious for failing people to keep working on their skills.