Would you like to see the case law which shows this claim to be absolute crap!
Yes please TC, i would very much like to get a copy of this.
I agree - i have heard this opinion at national level within the IAM the point being made was that in any court of law our claim that we are not instructing would be rubbished.
My late posting on this matter is due to being out for the evening, dare i say it, Observing.
3 hrs on the road and like the rest of the country it is howling outside. The associate passed his DAS last May and this was his 5th Observed ride, all 3 hour sessions. A comment earlier about getting two years experience is very true and i was concerned about this chap but what do we do when such an inexperienced person applies - send him away to get miles under his belt, how do you think we would then feel if he had a serious off whilst doing his miles before we would take him on. For that reason we don't send anyone away, we take them on and hope they get to test stardard but if not reassure ourselves that they have had some benefit from the activity.
I always stick to speed limits during IAM activity and more importantly do not show off by making unnecessary excessive progress in the twisties if i deem it too tight. I acknowledge that is not always the case though. I have seen a minority stick to speed limits rigidly yet are intent on maintaining a steady 60 in lanes that are just toooooo tight - where's the sense in that?
This guy has all the necessary observations, anticipation, concentration, planning from being a HGV driver however his main weakness is machine handling ability/experience (not surprising) so he is way off pace whilst cornering - and please don't think i mean tear arsing around the place.
After some gentle coaxing, always pointing out that there is a need for him to extend but certainly not exceed his capabilities and try the techniques described to him , tonight things really started to click. This made me feel great as his level of progress over just 5 sessions is very rewarding, just a shame that i am now going to have to bring him back down a peg next session because until now his cautiousness has meant he is safe but now that he has this new found confidence he could start riding beyond his capabilities.
For ?85 he gets a years membership, the IAM book, the test and also this one-to-one guidance, the only other cost being a contribution to my running costs. I certainly don't get the impression he begrudges this expense and i think he is pleased with what he is getting out of it.
I on the other hand get less than enough to cover my petrol and a sense of doing something for someone else for a reason other than profit - as all charities do.
Wednesday i am starting to be trained to instruct CBT's. The company owner is pleased that they are getting an IAM Observer on board and are hopefull that i will adapt. The few instructors i have met during my introductory session all seem approachable and willing to take me on but already i have picked up on the vibe about this "Advanced" term, and am left with a slight impression that some are looking to make a point.
The IAM are a huge organisation with their strengths being in their groups. However the further up you go the more business like and political it becomes and you do get to meet these people that are just full of it.
I get the impression Mac has had this experience when he was Observing and wanted to use Comms as i too have experienced this when other Committee types were dead against our group using them.
With such a large organisation/group it is impossible for everyone to get on famously, there will be some differences and tiffs along the way but apart from the odd one that i will never get along with all the others have been excellent.
It cannot be guaranteed that we are all going to be the same no matter how hard we try, it is human nature that dictates there will me some variations. This will also apply to Instructors and RoSPA as it is unfortunately inevitable that some bad eggs will get through and start applying their own version of how things should be done. I too have had some dubious instruction from all these providers.
It only remains to say that a national standard would be welcomed where all forms of advanced such as Police, IAM, RoSPA etc could be accurately compared without bias. Until then all provide a good level of Instruction so Andy don't be hung up on who you go to just be sure that you do get it done with someone.
There have been many interesting comments on this thread, lots of different opinions based on personal experience's all / most of which have a lot of merit.
I hope my final contribution on this matter comes across as a balanced opinion without being too biased - but who knows, if there is still more mileage in this thread perhaps i won't be able to resist another posting.
- i use my bike to commute on, in addition to playing at the weekends, holidays, and assisting my local IAM branch.
