PADI still doesn't limit the training to groups of 4 as is common in cave diving and doesn't allow training in doubles or side mount which other agencies do. Still, any advance to bring our training in line with the rest of the industry is welcome!
Yes it does. There was another standards change last year that allows students to dive in doubles. Penetration is limited to 1/6th gas supply. Check the training bulletins, or there is a thread somewhere in the I2I forum about it. I think it was Q3 last year, taking effect January 2009. It was the same TB as the change to the AOW course deep dive.
Sidemount may be a more grey area - personally, if indpendent doubles are allowed (I'd have to check the wording of the standard) then I'd see no problem with teaching it in sidemount provided the student divers are used to using sidemount and practice sidemount specific skills in OW, just as I would expect them to be able to valve drills if diving manifolded doubles.
They haven't changed the ratios for the overhead environment. Personally, I think this makes sense for two reasons. Firstly, they are being consistent with their other overhead envirnoment courses - wreck is limited to 2:1 in the overhead. Secondly, there are many PADI Cavern instructors who are only qualified to "Intro to Cave" level. These may not have the requisite skills to (a) wear full cave kit, and (b) deal with four students in an overhead environment.
To be honest, it really sounds like you take no interest in what PADI is doing - you can't blame them for not sending you TBs (they are online, check them) or your instructor manual. It's your professional obligation to stay up to date.
I also find it curious that you use an example of trying to find your certification card as an example of why you don't want to call PADI. There customer service may not be that great for divers, but you interact differently as an instructor - they are now your servant. They are there to assist you. Rather than ranting about them, take the time to (a) actually be up to date with standards before claiming that the standards aren't good enough, and (b) learn how to work with PADI by building a relationship with their educational consultants and your regional manager. You should know your regional manager on first name terms, you should know at least one educational consultant on first name terms. The more you are in their face, the more you will get from them.
I'm sorry if this is coming across somewhat harshly, but the tone of this thread has been a PADI bash from the start - their system is not perfect, it has drawbacks and at times it is just downright wrong. But at least if you are going to criticise it you should know what the standards actually are *AND* what the intent of each standard is. The fact that you have been teaching cavern courses oblivious of major standards changes suggests to me that you are not taking being a PADI instructor that seriously. Maybe once you've crossed over to another agency, you may wish to consider dropping your PADI membership? After all, why teach something that you do not beleive in?