OP
that's right ssi instructors are tied to a facility.......ssi is no threat to padi
ssi closing facilities
- Thread starter abnfrog
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Of course some shops are going to be switching from one agency to another. That has been happening since the beginning of the times that shops were affiliated with agencies.
SSI recently changed its entire management system as a result of its purchase by MARES. Many people in the old Fort Collins office left when a lot of corporate responsibility shifted to Boca Raton. They are shifting people's jobs around. The man who only a few years ago was my last PADI Course Director is now one of SSI's top training directors for North America. I assume offices will be closing as a part of this shift. It does not mean that they are failing.
My inside information suggests that not only is SSI no threat to PADI, PADI actually NEEDS a working SSI (and other agencies). Right now, PADI says it believes it issues 80% of the world's certifications. My sources tell me that PADI actually believes the number is higher. Surprisingly enough, it does not want that number to be much higher, for then it would open them up to potential anti-trust legislation in some places.
SSI recently changed its entire management system as a result of its purchase by MARES. Many people in the old Fort Collins office left when a lot of corporate responsibility shifted to Boca Raton. They are shifting people's jobs around. The man who only a few years ago was my last PADI Course Director is now one of SSI's top training directors for North America. I assume offices will be closing as a part of this shift. It does not mean that they are failing.
My inside information suggests that not only is SSI no threat to PADI, PADI actually NEEDS a working SSI (and other agencies). Right now, PADI says it believes it issues 80% of the world's certifications. My sources tell me that PADI actually believes the number is higher. Surprisingly enough, it does not want that number to be much higher, for then it would open them up to potential anti-trust legislation in some places.
Within a few weeks of me obtaining Diver Control Specialist Status with my LDS SSI was bought out by Mares and the LDS owner/instructor stated he was told nothing would change..... several weeks later SSI Rep. came into store and yank his SSI Franchise which left me a DIvce Con with out a store affiliate!! I'm now a PADI DM and a SDI Asst. Intr. Well technically still a SSI Dive Con, just no teaching status.
xmass-Eve
Contributor
But if you would be teaching, then you would be affiliated to that shop you are teaching with. It's just one click. If you aren't teaching, it doesn't matter, no? It's not like they take away your level. Also, I am not teaching at the moment, but I am still affiliated to the SSI Indonesia Service Center.
My old boss changed the dive center from PADI to SSI because was cheaper. I do have the feeling though, that since Mares came around, SSI goes the PADI way and prices went up.
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not trying to be too picky here but just to be clear.......ssi was not bought by mares. Head bought ssi. Head also owns mares. it seems to be a common misconception.
to wildbill from port charlotte (i was supposed to move there about 22 years ago.
never did. long story).....if your lds was dropped by ssi then there must have been a valid reason. perhaps something behind the scenes that was not shared by your store owner. it would have nothing to do with ssi being purchased by another company.
to xmass-eve.....to be an active ssi instructor you must be affilated with an "active" ssi resort or dive center. so if the lds in question is no longer an ssi dive center (for whatever reasons) then wildbill would need to connect with another ssi shop to be able to continue acting as an ssi pro.
to wildbill from port charlotte (i was supposed to move there about 22 years ago.
never did. long story).....if your lds was dropped by ssi then there must have been a valid reason. perhaps something behind the scenes that was not shared by your store owner. it would have nothing to do with ssi being purchased by another company.to xmass-eve.....to be an active ssi instructor you must be affilated with an "active" ssi resort or dive center. so if the lds in question is no longer an ssi dive center (for whatever reasons) then wildbill would need to connect with another ssi shop to be able to continue acting as an ssi pro.
xmass-Eve
Contributor
I know. Are there no other close by SSI shops then?not trying to be too picky here but just to be clear.......ssi was not bought by mares. Head bought ssi. Head also owns mares. it seems to be a common misconception.
to wildbill from port charlotte (i was supposed to move there about 22 years ago.
to xmass-eve.....to be an active ssi instructor you must be affilated with an "active" ssi resort or dive center. so if the lds in question is no longer an ssi dive center (for whatever reasons) then wildbill would need to connect with another ssi shop to be able to continue acting as an ssi pro.
there is an ssi dive center locator on the web site. there are some ssi shops north and south of port charlotte. but it sounds like wildbill has gone with padi and sdi now.
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Wildbill, I'd just drop SSI and go with SDI. Unless there is a need for you to stay SSI. Just tell them that they threw the baby out with the bathwater.
Yep, already have done just that...... Completed crossover to an SDI Assist. Instr. and also have done a PADI DM course.
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