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Yeah. The shop here had big classes when I was assisting--sometimes as many as 12 or more. Thus one (or 2 ) instructors and 2 DMs. The instructors liked it because they also got paid by the student.When I started out, the shop paid $25 to get an OW student through academics and confined water. Another $25 IF they get certified. That's why many instructors will pack as many students as they can by using assistants. Otherwise, "it isn't work their time".
I was doing it to develop as an instructor.
But in recent years they have basically limited the OW course to 6 or so. My instructor friend said at times he wished he had stayed a DM making $300 per course instead of as instructor making maybe $450 and being in charge, doing all the paperwork, etc.