My First Associate Has Passed!
Discussion
My first associate since I became an Observer last year has just passed his IAM!
I am really proud and pleased for him.
Do any of the other Observers (or equivalent) on here find that they are more nervous for their Associates than they were when they did their own test? I think it was because I couldn't actually influence the outcome any more.
I'm meeting him for a debrief tomorrow and see how he actually fared.
In the next intake of people our group has there is a chap who wants to do his test in a 120" stretch Lincoln Towncar, I'm hoping I get him as it sounds like a good laugh.
I am really proud and pleased for him.
Do any of the other Observers (or equivalent) on here find that they are more nervous for their Associates than they were when they did their own test? I think it was because I couldn't actually influence the outcome any more.
I'm meeting him for a debrief tomorrow and see how he actually fared.
In the next intake of people our group has there is a chap who wants to do his test in a 120" stretch Lincoln Towncar, I'm hoping I get him as it sounds like a good laugh.
markmullen said:
My first associate since I became an Observer last year has just passed his IAM!
I am really proud and pleased for him.
Do any of the other Observers (or equivalent) on here find that they are more nervous for their Associates than they were when they did their own test? I think it was because I couldn't actually influence the outcome any more.
I'm meeting him for a debrief tomorrow and see how he actually fared.
In the next intake of people our group has there is a chap who wants to do his test in a 120" stretch Lincoln Towncar, I'm hoping I get him as it sounds like a good laugh.
Congratulations to you Mark - and to your Associate - I'm very pleased for you both.
Best wishes all,
Dave - still a very difficult case!
New PH member signing in here - hello all.
To the OP: congratulations.
At Altrincham group, we run a fixed-length course (6 runs), and we try to switch observers around, so you don't get quite so attached to "your associate". But we still feel pretty chuffed when they pass - we try to persuade them to let us present their certificates at social evenings, so we can make a big deal of it. I've been doing this for about 17 years now, and I still find it fun and rewarding helping others improve their driving, so keep it up.
To the OP: congratulations.
At Altrincham group, we run a fixed-length course (6 runs), and we try to switch observers around, so you don't get quite so attached to "your associate". But we still feel pretty chuffed when they pass - we try to persuade them to let us present their certificates at social evenings, so we can make a big deal of it. I've been doing this for about 17 years now, and I still find it fun and rewarding helping others improve their driving, so keep it up.
Welcome to PH Major, should we salute? 
Our IAM group (Scarborough) actually uses a video from Altrincham, the chap in the Omega running through the system.
I like the idea of working around the various associates, in sales we work on the fact that 1 in 17 people I meet as a salesman will not like me, regardless of the deal I offer them, or the car. I'm sure Observers must be the same and working your way through different observers will show different strengths and weaknesses of each one.
If that's the video I think it is, the guy in question is Keith Nicholson, ex-class 1 police driver, ex-examiner and all round top bloke.
I had the immense pleasure of being taken on a demo drive by Keith when he was still active as an instructor. What a revelation. If I could just drive half as well as that...
Keith was also the cause of one of those moments that I'll treasure forever. Have you ever been cut up and wished that you had a copper in the car with you? I was out one evening on a check drive with Keith and a couple of colleagues in the back. I was preparing to turn right - over toward the centre line, indicator on, slowing down to take advantage of a gap coming up - when this guy comes up on my inside, cuts over in front of me and whizzes down the road I was turning into. Anyway, we complete the turn and what should we see? The clown is parked 200 yards up the road, on a double yellow, with two wheels on the pavement.
"Pull in behind him", says Keith, so I do and Keith winds himself out of the car, fastens his cap on and wanders over to the guy, who's slouching in the front seat. Tap, tap on the window. The guy looks up and does an absolutely classic comedy double-take. Keith gives him a good talking to, and tells him to move it. "But I'm just..." - "MOVE IT!". Guy sees sense and p*sses off double-quick. Meanwhile there are three of us in my car totally helpless with laughter.
So, if you have ever wondered what it feels like - I can state categorically that it feels utterly brilliant.
I had the immense pleasure of being taken on a demo drive by Keith when he was still active as an instructor. What a revelation. If I could just drive half as well as that...
Keith was also the cause of one of those moments that I'll treasure forever. Have you ever been cut up and wished that you had a copper in the car with you? I was out one evening on a check drive with Keith and a couple of colleagues in the back. I was preparing to turn right - over toward the centre line, indicator on, slowing down to take advantage of a gap coming up - when this guy comes up on my inside, cuts over in front of me and whizzes down the road I was turning into. Anyway, we complete the turn and what should we see? The clown is parked 200 yards up the road, on a double yellow, with two wheels on the pavement.
"Pull in behind him", says Keith, so I do and Keith winds himself out of the car, fastens his cap on and wanders over to the guy, who's slouching in the front seat. Tap, tap on the window. The guy looks up and does an absolutely classic comedy double-take. Keith gives him a good talking to, and tells him to move it. "But I'm just..." - "MOVE IT!". Guy sees sense and p*sses off double-quick. Meanwhile there are three of us in my car totally helpless with laughter.
So, if you have ever wondered what it feels like - I can state categorically that it feels utterly brilliant.
I think I wouldn't have stopped chuckling all week. 
markmullen said:
My first associate since I became an Observer last year has just passed his IAM!
Congratulations!
There's nothing like getting the first one through - but all of them are pretty damn good. They work hard to get to the standard so its really nice to see them get the reward for their efforts.
Its a bummer when one fails - I've just had my first one!
Still - he's going to try again...hey ho.
Well done!
Well done mate!
"Do any of the other Observers (or equivalent) on here find that they are more nervous for their Associates than they were when they did their own test?"
After 6 years at it, I could strangle the buggers when they don't phone me right after the Test to give me the result!
BOF.
"Do any of the other Observers (or equivalent) on here find that they are more nervous for their Associates than they were when they did their own test?"
After 6 years at it, I could strangle the buggers when they don't phone me right after the Test to give me the result!
BOF.
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