Padi has never made any attempt to acknowlege that we even existed. They gladly took our money but nothing else. I know of instances that they welcomed new ones or at least sent a welcome letter if nothing else. Padi also says that you can't over teach, you need to take specialty courses for things you want to know. You are the first one I ever heard that had some teaching room, or at least will admit to it. I know there are a lot of shops over here that have went from Padi to SSI because of them being too mechanical. To quote a shop owner "SSI allows you to be human and not a machine like Padi. I have other questions for instructors about different things and they would suggest to take specialty courses rather than answer my questions. They said that is the way Padi wants their instructor to do. I have heard from a lot more people about this. So I have been just trying to get info. I may never go for instructor and if I do its so far off, things will change between now and then. I just wanted to get other opinions about different Agencies out there. I am new to this sport so I just wanted a little more info.
Cheers
Sherry