Joined IAM - since then nothing!
Discussion
Hi all
hopefully someone can help me. I joined the IAM a few months back, paid my money, been in touch with my local Group (North West London and Chilterns). All I have had so far is the newsletter, and a letter from the Associates Organisers saying there are no advisers and they have been unable to allocate me one. I have said I am willing to travel and have my observations done in a different area, which they have acknowledged.
Anyone know what other options I may have, I really want to get IAM under my belt soon, so I can then go on to do more, like RoADA: RoSPA Advanced Drivers Association, etc.
Cheers
hopefully someone can help me. I joined the IAM a few months back, paid my money, been in touch with my local Group (North West London and Chilterns). All I have had so far is the newsletter, and a letter from the Associates Organisers saying there are no advisers and they have been unable to allocate me one. I have said I am willing to travel and have my observations done in a different area, which they have acknowledged.
Anyone know what other options I may have, I really want to get IAM under my belt soon, so I can then go on to do more, like RoADA: RoSPA Advanced Drivers Association, etc.
Cheers
In my experience the IAM is pretty disorganised. Keep pestering your local group, chances are they just don't have an instructor to allocate to you. I think it took my local group about 6 months to contact me.
IMHO the whole IAM needs a shake up. It is unclear how it all works to the outsider and the pricing is confusing. Some groups are better than others. Mine seems to be run as a social club for the over-50s so I have not renewed my membership to the local group
It's a real shame, my brother is a member of BAM (Birmingham Advanced Motorcyclists) and there's a great vibe there. Hopefully go along sometime when I'm about.
IMHO the whole IAM needs a shake up. It is unclear how it all works to the outsider and the pricing is confusing. Some groups are better than others. Mine seems to be run as a social club for the over-50s so I have not renewed my membership to the local group
It's a real shame, my brother is a member of BAM (Birmingham Advanced Motorcyclists) and there's a great vibe there. Hopefully go along sometime when I'm about.
Ian,
I had a similar experience - in that I signed up in October - and only got assigned my Observer in April - and passed in June.
But hang on in there - it will be worth it.
You could ask them if they do Assessment drives - which would help in the short term.
Alternatively you could ask them if you could have a 1-off 'assessment drive' with any senior observer - so that they can at least point out your 'weak areas' - so that at least you can practice on them - so when you start proper it gives you a head-start.
Good luck with it.
K
Edited to add that you could learn the IAM handbook inside out and back to front - get you hands on the Roadcraft book - learn that - and see if you can borrow from your group the Roadcraft video.
>> Edited by Kinky on Wednesday 28th December 15:26
I had a similar experience - in that I signed up in October - and only got assigned my Observer in April - and passed in June.
But hang on in there - it will be worth it.
You could ask them if they do Assessment drives - which would help in the short term.
Alternatively you could ask them if you could have a 1-off 'assessment drive' with any senior observer - so that they can at least point out your 'weak areas' - so that at least you can practice on them - so when you start proper it gives you a head-start.
Good luck with it.
K
Edited to add that you could learn the IAM handbook inside out and back to front - get you hands on the Roadcraft book - learn that - and see if you can borrow from your group the Roadcraft video.
>> Edited by Kinky on Wednesday 28th December 15:26
I had quite the opposite treatment from the Trent Group here in Nottingham. I got a phone message responded to the same day and was on a course within a week or two. It is a charitable organisation, so one cannot be too harsh when people give their time gratis for the good of others.
If you haven't done so already, maybe a search of other groups within your area may prove more fruitful - www.iam.org.uk Please do not give up. I had the most wonderful time on the course and I am so glad I did it as I have a far better attitude and am far more capable now.
If you haven't done so already, maybe a search of other groups within your area may prove more fruitful - www.iam.org.uk Please do not give up. I had the most wonderful time on the course and I am so glad I did it as I have a far better attitude and am far more capable now.
I don't want to be harsh, appreciate is is a voluntary org, and done in spare time, but i did spend £80 quid joining it. And my impression is that it isn't very organised. My sister has a similar story to yours Emma, so it isn't all bad, but when i speak to Traffic police who have offered their services and never been replied to, at the same time they say there is a shortage, it does make me wonder
I'm not giving up by any means. I might contact other local groups too - but apparently my group has done that for me.
I'm not giving up by any means. I might contact other local groups too - but apparently my group has done that for me.
Ian,
I would say that at the end of the day there's no real 'quiet' time .....
The observers are mostly the likes of you and me - with our own full-time jobs - and the busy peaks and troughs that go with that (or in my case a permanent peak). Then add in family time, etc, etc .....
If you do enjoy it, then it might be worth considering becoming an observer yourself - which all helps.
K
I would say that at the end of the day there's no real 'quiet' time .....
The observers are mostly the likes of you and me - with our own full-time jobs - and the busy peaks and troughs that go with that (or in my case a permanent peak). Then add in family time, etc, etc .....
If you do enjoy it, then it might be worth considering becoming an observer yourself - which all helps.
K
AquilaEagle said:
It's not a refund I am after though - it is observation drives so I can take my test. I guess it is hard this time of year, but i hear it gets busier towards spring and summer
Sorry to hear this, I'm an IAM observer in Newbury, if you're not too far away I'll personally take you out for a few hours to get you started.
Martin
mph999 said:
It's not a refund I am after though - it is observation drives so I can take my test. I guess it is hard this time of year, but i hear it gets busier towards spring and summer
Sorry to hear this, I'm an IAM observer in Newbury, if you're not too far away I'll personally take you out for a few hours to get you started.
Martin
I'm in Basingstoke, mate. Group Observer etc. If that's closer I'll be glad to make the same offer.
Does your group offer monthly drives for people with no "allocated 1:1" Observer? This could be a route to getting your instruction started. Some groups are more organised than others and some Observers within those groups are more organised than others.
Once you get started you won't look back I assure you.
Excellent!
I actually spoke to the Associates Organisers on the phone the other day - sounds like they have a shedload of people waiting to be allocated an observer. I asked her if it would be any use me contacting another group as I am willing to travel - but she said "no they are all busy like us" Well I'm not convinced! Anyway, thanks for the offer and I will be in touch - where in Herts are you?
I actually spoke to the Associates Organisers on the phone the other day - sounds like they have a shedload of people waiting to be allocated an observer. I asked her if it would be any use me contacting another group as I am willing to travel - but she said "no they are all busy like us" Well I'm not convinced! Anyway, thanks for the offer and I will be in touch - where in Herts are you?
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