Seems that BarrelRoll has a little Head up A$$ Syndrome. He starts off by saying he doesn’t care, but in all his posts, he seems to care enough to post it…
I wouldn't go to Wal-Mart, Costco, or Sports Chalet for diver instruction, pilot's license, or to receive surgery.
…I can see a far higher probability of getting a generic, cattle processing instructor from a place like that.
…the odds of being processed through a cookie-cutter system with little regard for quality education is likely proportional to the size of the establishment and inversely proportional to the focus of the business…
So I guess the best thing to do is address his self-ignorance with a little comparison.
LDS vs Sports Chalet (SC)
1. LDS has about 2-3 regular instructors / SC has a few thousand including part time instructors
2. LDS has part-time employees that may not know what they’re selling just like SC having part-time employees also not knowing…but each also has people that do know.
3. LDS has a very limited selection of manufacturers and cost is usually higher, SC has a wider variety of manufacturers and costs are lower.
4. Class costs are typically higher at a LDS than at a SC.
LDS vs SC is about the same in all comparisons except that a LDS costs more and often forces you into gear they sell just to make a dime. SC may have someone from another department help, but from my experience, if they don't know they get the right person. I have also been helped by some “kids” who didn’t know what they were selling at both LDS & SC so you can’t argue that either.
I find that most people wanting to be mad at SC do so based on hearsay or stupid little incidents they use as ammunition for their bitter hatred. I neither work at SC nor have I ever taught there, but I do know a number of instructors personally and they are of the highest caliber and have the best teaching records with students referring countless others to them.
Lastly, BarrelRoll, you mentioned that I should
Learn to comprehend what you read before you jump on your holier than thou soap box.
Well…it seems you are the one that backtracked on what you stated…by stating that you don’t care…when you clearly do. As for comprehending what you read…I think its pretty clear which of us understands and which wants to stomp their feet and throw a tantrum about the big bad SC. Did they steal your lunch money or something? Do you need a hug? Its ok to have an opinion…too bad yours is pretty transparent and unsubstantiated. Oh, and lastly, next time you want to provide a basis for your argument, put in something with a bit more substance…claiming SC is bad because they are big is dumb, calling them cookiecutter…well that was funny! Seems to me that Dive training is entirely cookiecutter in that they all provide the same general information and that its up to the instructor to add any additional training aides or information. I usually add video I shoot, or pictures I took to get people excited, but I had to adhere to the training materials in general.