LOL - Seriously? Eric, I thought you more broad-thinking than that!
"I use sidemount because it is best for me in a doubles-required situation. Why, frankly, is no one's business."
Why can't you readers just accept that?
As for the showing up in attitude . . . I've dived this rig with this instructors dives for over a year. There's no attitude, he knew it coming in, he is simply expressing a lack of confidence as expressed by the other students . . . and by himself, IMO. I have no problem with that. Fair enuff. I OWE him to build that confidence, and owe that to anyone with whom I dive.
"Should've taken . . . sidemount instructor" . . . Do you honestly think I don't know that? Let's see, there's "support your LDS", there's only one LDS, and trusted, experienced sidemount instructors are a state or two away.
You're right, I brought this scrutiny on myself . . . I am happy to do so, and want to represent sidemount the very best I can to my itty-bitty community.
Which IS, by the way, the OP question.
Jax, while I empathize with your basic problem of getting sidemount accepted, I am sure you understand the red flag you're throwing up here and how it doesn't help your situation.
I've been presented with a take-it-on-faith ultimatum before; I declined the dive.
All the best, James