Bad experience with IAM - what to try next?
Discussion
EmmaP said:
I'm in Nottingham Wendy and would only be too pleased to take you out for a run if you are reasonably local (50 mile radius).
That's kind, but I'm a bit too far north, nearer to Newcastle (and no, it wasn't the Newcastle group!) Well, maybe I will give it another go. I probably would have stuck with the original observer a bit longer and assumed it was my fault if that 'Demonstration drive' hadn't been so bad.At least they'll have to assign me someone a bit less decrepit, as they'll have to be able to get in and out of the Elise.
wendyg said:
EmmaP said:
I'm in Nottingham Wendy and would only be too pleased to take you out for a run if you are reasonably local (50 mile radius).
That's kind, but I'm a bit too far north, nearer to Newcastle (and no, it wasn't the Newcastle group!) Well, maybe I will give it another go. I probably would have stuck with the original observer a bit longer and assumed it was my fault if that 'Demonstration drive' hadn't been so bad.At least they'll have to assign me someone a bit less decrepit, as they'll have to be able to get in and out of the Elise.
I have a friend who is very involved with the IAM up there and has something like 150+ student passes to his name. Drop me a mail if you want me to put you in touch.
wendyg said:
EmmaP said:
I'm in Nottingham Wendy and would only be too pleased to take you out for a run if you are reasonably local (50 mile radius).
That's kind, but I'm a bit too far north, nearer to Newcastle (and no, it wasn't the Newcastle group!) Well, maybe I will give it another go. I probably would have stuck with the original observer a bit longer and assumed it was my fault if that 'Demonstration drive' hadn't been so bad.At least they'll have to assign me someone a bit less decrepit, as they'll have to be able to get in and out of the Elise.
Dash it all, Newcastle is only a few miles up the road.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Edited by p1esk on Saturday 29th March 18:30
StressedDave said:
And judging by your experiences, you've already shared the same IAM observer...
Well at least I didn't have the benefit of a demonstration drive by him. I think my Observer was so dismayed by my performance, he'd need a recovery period before wanting to get in a car again!Returning to more constructive endeavours, in Wendy's cae it all depends on what she really wants out of this.
If she wants to go the prescribed IAM/RoSPA route and have a piece of paper to prove she's passed their test, all well and good. That should be quite rewarding, but it's an objective with which I can't help, and may even be a hindrance.
On the other hand, if she wishes to spend a bit of time looking at driving with someone with the aim of finding a style that she enjoys and which gives a good result in a wide variety of situations, I might be able to help with that, but it may not result in a style that will impress the experts in all respects. It all depends on what is being sought.
Anyhow, I don't wish to intrude here, but I'd like to help if I can. It's as easy as that.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Wendy
Unfortunately, there are probably a few observers like the one you had the misfortune to experience who are still active.
However, the majority are not, and there are plenty of people who have had very positive experiences with the IAM.
I can only suggest you try again. I also think it would be worth stating that you had a poor experience with your previous observer and why, without necessarily naming names. That might help you to get someone who's up to par with their skills.
I do hope you'll have a better experience second time around.
regards
Nick
Unfortunately, there are probably a few observers like the one you had the misfortune to experience who are still active.
However, the majority are not, and there are plenty of people who have had very positive experiences with the IAM.
I can only suggest you try again. I also think it would be worth stating that you had a poor experience with your previous observer and why, without necessarily naming names. That might help you to get someone who's up to par with their skills.
I do hope you'll have a better experience second time around.
regards
Nick
p1esk said:
StressedDave said:
And judging by your experiences, you've already shared the same IAM observer...
Well at least I didn't have the benefit of a demonstration drive by him. I think my Observer was so dismayed by my performance, he'd need a recovery period before wanting to get in a car again!Returning to more constructive endeavours, in Wendy's case it all depends on what she really wants out of this.
If she wants to go the prescribed IAM/RoSPA route and have a piece of paper to prove she's passed their test, all well and good. That should be quite rewarding, but it's an objective with which I can't help, and may even be a hindrance.
On the other hand, if she wishes to spend a bit of time looking at driving with someone with the aim of finding a style that she enjoys and which gives a good result in a wide variety of situations, I might be able to help with that, but it may not result in a style that will impress the experts in all respects. It all depends on what is being sought.
Anyhow, I don't wish to intrude here, but I'd like to help if I can. It's as easy as that.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
I've just nipped in to correct a minor error in the above post, and that required me to log in, which in turn required me to agree to the new Posting Rules - which I've done, for the moment.
However, if those rules remain unaltered this will be my last post here, as they contain restrictions that I find unreasonable and unacceptable.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
My experience with the IAM was not as extreme but also left me unimpressed. On the demonstration drive my observer drove over a kerb leaving the car park and then had to do an emergency stop as he didn't see a temporary traffic light on red during the drive.
I perservered with going and put in for my test but heard no more despite chasing the head office both by myself and the head of the local group, apparently there were delays due to the local examiner being busy but 18 months with hearing nothing at all (except demands for new payments) left me feeling that this particular group was a bit too amateurish.
The group was also dominated by the retired and my observer constantly refered to me as a boy racer due to my car despite the reality that I am 35 and have never had any points/accidents etc. For learning how to enjoy driving safely and with fun thrown in too, I think a few hours with a police driving instructor are probably more worthwhile than the particular group I joined.
I perservered with going and put in for my test but heard no more despite chasing the head office both by myself and the head of the local group, apparently there were delays due to the local examiner being busy but 18 months with hearing nothing at all (except demands for new payments) left me feeling that this particular group was a bit too amateurish.
The group was also dominated by the retired and my observer constantly refered to me as a boy racer due to my car despite the reality that I am 35 and have never had any points/accidents etc. For learning how to enjoy driving safely and with fun thrown in too, I think a few hours with a police driving instructor are probably more worthwhile than the particular group I joined.
_Neal_ said:
"However, if those rules remain unaltered this will be my last post here, as they contain restrictions that I find unreasonable and unacceptable.
Best wishes all,
Dave."
Seriously - or a well-disguised April fool?
I'm sorry Neal, I do know what day it is, but I meant what I said. Granted it can be difficult framing rules, but they are not entirely reasonable in my view, but I don't suppose they'll get changed, so that will be the end of it for me.Best wishes all,
Dave."
Seriously - or a well-disguised April fool?
Edited by _Neal_ on Tuesday 1st April 10:53
Enjoy your motoring, and take care.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
StressedDave said:
True, but it's very hard to write something that someone doesn't find objectionable or argumentative in some way - after all it's what internet fora are all about.
My reading is that it's about whether posts are "likely" to offend/provoke etc, rather than if someone just takes what you say the wrong way.Anyway, isn't the enforcement of the rules (i.e how the fora are moderated) far more important in practice?
Seems to me that if the "likely to provoke etc" is the change being objected to (I don't recall what the old rules said) then people should wait to see how, in practice, this will impact postings.
Without wishing to speak out of turn (well maybe a little
) it would appear that the change is a hook to hang banning a user on, rather than something that will impact the day-to-day use of the fora.Apologies to the OP - this is way off topic - I just think it's a shame that active posters in the AD forum have been alienated.
Neal
Edited by _Neal_ on Tuesday 1st April 13:53
EmmaP said:
I think the objection many of us have is that Haymarket were saying that they could take ownership of anything posted, including words and photographs. You can imagine the stink that has created on the photography and video forum.
Yes, thank you, Emma.The idea that any of us might post something here that is intended to be helpful, and have ownership taken over by somebody else so that we are not then free to make that same contribution elsewhere with constructive intent, is quite unacceptable.
As far as I'm concerned Haymarket (or whoever) will have to look again at these new Posting Rules and deal satisfactorily with our concerns or they will damage the forum, and I don't wish to see that happen.
If it is any help, I will confirm that I am fully supportive of any reasonable measures aimed at preserving decent behavioural standards and consideration for others, so there's no problem with that aspect.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
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