- Report: #851231
Complaint Review: Texas Motorcycle Training, Plano, TX.
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| Texas Motorcycle Training, Plano, TX. 811 N. Central Exp. (Collin Creek Mall)
Plano, Texas United States of America |
|
Texas Motorcycle Training, Plano, TX. Shannon Harden/Jim Slaughter Instructor uses intimidation and yelling as a teaching tool Plano, Texas
*Consumer Comment: Former Student
*REBUTTAL Owner of company: Robert Simple the Bully
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On March 6 - 7, 2012, I attended a Motorcycle Safety Course taught by Texas Motorcycle Training of Plano, TX.
I strongly believed that when I signed up for this course, it would be taught by a professional that had teaching skills, and respected the rights of others. I was very disappointed to find out the instructor/owner (Jim Slaughter) intended to teach using intimidation and yelling to get his point across. On multiple occasions the instructor would yell at the class in general, or an individual, if an infraction had occurred. Many times the instructor would not explain himself adequately as what he was expecting, and subsequently an infraction would occur, which brought the yelling or a snide remark. One student other than myself named him the Cycle Nazi. The instructor also made a point of telling the class about how many students he had dismissed from previous classes. This was obviously an attempt to get the class in line!
Jim Slaughter remarked that he was a former Marine and his style reminded me of a drill instructor. I did not enlist in the Marines, nor did I expect to attend a Marine Boot Camp, just a motorcycle safety course. Yelling and intimidation is not an effective teaching technique for anyone over the age of 2, and probably not at that age either. If the instructor would have just pointed out the problem, and a solution, the adults in the class would have responded accordingly.
In my opinion the instructor, Jim Slaughter, should either take some courses in proper teaching techniques, or retire as a Motorcycle Safety Course instructor.
After a day and a half I could not take Jim Slaughters abuse any longer and confronted him. I was then kicked out of the class.
There are many other Motorcycle Safety Courses out there that are taught by people that know how to instruct in a positive manner. I had a friend who took a course that was fun and very positive. I choose to take a course from Texas Motorcycle Training of Plano, TX because it was $50 cheaper than my friends course. I guess you get what you pay for.
Additional comments: Repeated comments by instructor that if anyone falls behind they will be removed from class and they can take private lessons for $680, but he would give them a $150 credit. Is this a way of trying to sell private lessons?
Hardly any breaks during class. The class was taught in a shopping mall parking lot which did not have restroom facilities. There were no set breaks and the couple of breaks that were offered; we only had ten minutes to get from the parking lot to the mall, find a restroom, and return. Only 30 minutes for lunch on both days, and again we had to run for a fast food restaurant, stuff down a sandwich, and run back to the class. We were told repeatedly that if we did not get back to class on time that we would be removed. All this and the class got out early on both days.
There was a Columbian woman is the class who spoke, and understood English, although she had difficulty with it. We were told that she was sent home after scoring a 68 on the written test. I understand that this was below passing, but could she have known the answers and just was having trouble with the written English exam? I did not see the instructor spending any extra time with her to assist. Could the instructor have given her an oral exam during one of the 30 minute lunch breaks? Maybe she would have passed. Where in the literature or web site did it say that you must have a command of the English language in order to take the course?
I strongly believed that when I signed up for this course, it would be taught by a professional that had teaching skills, and respected the rights of others. I was very disappointed to find out the instructor/owner (Jim Slaughter) intended to teach using intimidation and yelling to get his point across. On multiple occasions the instructor would yell at the class in general, or an individual, if an infraction had occurred. Many times the instructor would not explain himself adequately as what he was expecting, and subsequently an infraction would occur, which brought the yelling or a snide remark. One student other than myself named him the Cycle Nazi. The instructor also made a point of telling the class about how many students he had dismissed from previous classes. This was obviously an attempt to get the class in line!
Jim Slaughter remarked that he was a former Marine and his style reminded me of a drill instructor. I did not enlist in the Marines, nor did I expect to attend a Marine Boot Camp, just a motorcycle safety course. Yelling and intimidation is not an effective teaching technique for anyone over the age of 2, and probably not at that age either. If the instructor would have just pointed out the problem, and a solution, the adults in the class would have responded accordingly.
In my opinion the instructor, Jim Slaughter, should either take some courses in proper teaching techniques, or retire as a Motorcycle Safety Course instructor.
After a day and a half I could not take Jim Slaughters abuse any longer and confronted him. I was then kicked out of the class.
There are many other Motorcycle Safety Courses out there that are taught by people that know how to instruct in a positive manner. I had a friend who took a course that was fun and very positive. I choose to take a course from Texas Motorcycle Training of Plano, TX because it was $50 cheaper than my friends course. I guess you get what you pay for.
Additional comments: Repeated comments by instructor that if anyone falls behind they will be removed from class and they can take private lessons for $680, but he would give them a $150 credit. Is this a way of trying to sell private lessons?
Hardly any breaks during class. The class was taught in a shopping mall parking lot which did not have restroom facilities. There were no set breaks and the couple of breaks that were offered; we only had ten minutes to get from the parking lot to the mall, find a restroom, and return. Only 30 minutes for lunch on both days, and again we had to run for a fast food restaurant, stuff down a sandwich, and run back to the class. We were told repeatedly that if we did not get back to class on time that we would be removed. All this and the class got out early on both days.
There was a Columbian woman is the class who spoke, and understood English, although she had difficulty with it. We were told that she was sent home after scoring a 68 on the written test. I understand that this was below passing, but could she have known the answers and just was having trouble with the written English exam? I did not see the instructor spending any extra time with her to assist. Could the instructor have given her an oral exam during one of the 30 minute lunch breaks? Maybe she would have passed. Where in the literature or web site did it say that you must have a command of the English language in order to take the course?
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 03/09/2012 11:13 AM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Texas-Motorcycle-Training-Plano-TX/Plano-Texas-/Texas-Motorcycle-Training-Plano-TX-Shannon-HardenJim-Slaughter-Instructor-uses-intimid-851231. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.
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Search Tips#1 Consumer Comment
Former Student
AUTHOR: Jjthejetplane - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Thursday, October 25, 2012
I took Jim's class years ago. Techniques I was taught I still use today when riding. I can tell you with 100% certainty things I learned in that class have kept me from getting hurt/killed. You can read the 2 compliants submitted and form your own opinion, but they only represent a small fraction of the people that have been through the class and are 100% satisfied, like me.
If you have never been on a motorcycle before, you will gain the confidence and skills to safely operate a bike. If you have a bit of experience, like me, you will find it a challenge and enjoyable. All the folks in my class ranged from beginners to about my level of experience. Sport/cruiser riders alike. Men and women. Everybody passed with flying colors and nobody complained.
If you have never been on a motorcycle before, you will gain the confidence and skills to safely operate a bike. If you have a bit of experience, like me, you will find it a challenge and enjoyable. All the folks in my class ranged from beginners to about my level of experience. Sport/cruiser riders alike. Men and women. Everybody passed with flying colors and nobody complained.
Respond to this report!
What's this? #2 REBUTTAL Owner of company
Robert Simple the Bully
AUTHOR: Jim - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Wednesday, October 03, 2012
I am going to address Mr. Robert Sipples complaint paragraph by paragraph.
First Paragraph
Yes, Mr. Sipple did attend the Basic Rider Course given by Texas Motorcycle Training on March 6-7 2012.
What Mr. Sipple does not state is that he already has a Texas Motorcycle License and was attending the course because his friends had asked him to take the BRC because of his erratic riding behavior and they thought he might learn better riding techniques from the course.
Nor does Mr. Sipple state that he was removed from the class the second day during exercise 13 for using foul language toward me and coming very close to assaulting me. So close to assaulting me that I had to threaten to call the police if he did not
leave the range.
Second Paragraph
Mr. Sipple was correct in his expectations. He was taught by a professional with good teaching skills. A professional who respects the rights of others.
Third Paragraph
Mr. Sipple is incorrect in saying the Rider Coach was Jim Flaughter. My name is Slaughter not Flaughter. I do not teach by intimidation and yelling. Yes I enforce the Safety Rules (on the Student Evaluations I constantly receive 5s on the ranking for Explanation & Enforcement of Safety Rules) and yes, I do raise my voice at times, our range itself is located less than 400 Ft. from US 75 (Central Expressway), one of the busiest Expressways in the State.
In the class room I stress the importance of safety time and time again. I always state to the class, Your safety as an individual, your safety as a class, and the instructors safety are paramount to what we will be doing on the range. If I have to raise my voice, it is not to intimidate, it is not to embarrass, but it is to keep the class as safe as possible on the range.
Forth Paragraph
Mr. Sipple states that I would yell if an Infraction accrued. I dont know what his definition of an infraction is, but I address it as unsafe act, in my opinion there is a big difference between the two. An unsafe act has to be addressed quickly to avoid an accident, and yes I may raise my voice to be heard over traffic, engine noise and the sound barrier of a students helmet.
Mr. Sipple claims that I would not explain myself adequately. At the beginning of each exercise I read verbatim from the range cards, I show the class the diagram of the exercise on the range cards, I ride a demonstration of the exercise. Upon retuning to the class I ask for questions from the class. After answering their questions I ask them questions concerning the exercise. Only two times did Mr. Sipple ask any questions. Both times they were asked in a combative and argumentative fashion.
I will not address hes snide remarks comment. Mr. Sipples attitude was expressed as, I know how to ride a motorcycle, you cant teach me anything. A Snide attitude is a good description of Mr. Sipple throughout the time he was in the course.
Yes, in the classroom I give examples of students who have failed the course and the problems they had that caused them to fail the course. In the last five years I have only had to dismiss two students, one was Mr. Sipple for foul language. A Rider Coach does not usually dismiss a student from the course. Failure of the knowledge test or the on-cycle evaluation or not satisfactorily completing a phase of the course is considered a failure of the entire course as stated in the Texas DPS Student Information Form that students are required to read, and the RC is required to read back to the class. I require my students to also write Jim read this and initial it.
Cycle Nazi --- I will not address this garbage.
My father was a Capt. in a forward medical unit with Pattons 3rd Army when they liberated two German concentration camps.
Fifth Paragraph
There are no Former Marines. There are only Marines and Marines that have gone forward Mr. Simple says He did not enlist in the Marines, so how could he say my style reminds him of a Drill Instructor? He also says Nor did I expect to attend a Marine Boot Camp, just a motorcycle safety course.
Just a Motorcycle Safety Course?
Mr. Simple, in his phone tirade 3/07/2012 at 2:33 PM stated, To hell with Jim Flaughter and to hell with the Marine Corps.
I, James Martin Slaughter 1955767 am a Marine, and I am proud to have served my country.
Sixth Paragraph
I address a students problems with each and every exercise by referring to the range cards instructions for the exercise and suggest how to alter their approach to the exercise in order to accomplish its objective. Each student is considered as an adult and I treat them in an adult manner.
Mr. Sipples attitude was argumentative and disruptive through out the class. Treating Mr. Sipple as an adult was difficult, during an exercise when I would tell him what he needed to improve on, then he would repeatedly tell me he already had motorcycle license and knew what he was doing. At his very best he was a border line student; he would accomplish the objective once, and then go back to his old ways and bad habits of doing things.
Seventh Paragraph
Mr. Sipple has offered his opinion throughout his whole complaint. He suggests that I take some course in teaching
techniques.
I would like to know what teaching technique courses he has taken, by doing this we could compare the course we have both taken and compare notes and it might help me to understand his resentment and anger toward me and my teaching ability.
First Paragraph
Yes, Mr. Sipple did attend the Basic Rider Course given by Texas Motorcycle Training on March 6-7 2012.
What Mr. Sipple does not state is that he already has a Texas Motorcycle License and was attending the course because his friends had asked him to take the BRC because of his erratic riding behavior and they thought he might learn better riding techniques from the course.
Nor does Mr. Sipple state that he was removed from the class the second day during exercise 13 for using foul language toward me and coming very close to assaulting me. So close to assaulting me that I had to threaten to call the police if he did not
leave the range.
Second Paragraph
Mr. Sipple was correct in his expectations. He was taught by a professional with good teaching skills. A professional who respects the rights of others.
Third Paragraph
Mr. Sipple is incorrect in saying the Rider Coach was Jim Flaughter. My name is Slaughter not Flaughter. I do not teach by intimidation and yelling. Yes I enforce the Safety Rules (on the Student Evaluations I constantly receive 5s on the ranking for Explanation & Enforcement of Safety Rules) and yes, I do raise my voice at times, our range itself is located less than 400 Ft. from US 75 (Central Expressway), one of the busiest Expressways in the State.
In the class room I stress the importance of safety time and time again. I always state to the class, Your safety as an individual, your safety as a class, and the instructors safety are paramount to what we will be doing on the range. If I have to raise my voice, it is not to intimidate, it is not to embarrass, but it is to keep the class as safe as possible on the range.
Forth Paragraph
Mr. Sipple states that I would yell if an Infraction accrued. I dont know what his definition of an infraction is, but I address it as unsafe act, in my opinion there is a big difference between the two. An unsafe act has to be addressed quickly to avoid an accident, and yes I may raise my voice to be heard over traffic, engine noise and the sound barrier of a students helmet.
Mr. Sipple claims that I would not explain myself adequately. At the beginning of each exercise I read verbatim from the range cards, I show the class the diagram of the exercise on the range cards, I ride a demonstration of the exercise. Upon retuning to the class I ask for questions from the class. After answering their questions I ask them questions concerning the exercise. Only two times did Mr. Sipple ask any questions. Both times they were asked in a combative and argumentative fashion.
I will not address hes snide remarks comment. Mr. Sipples attitude was expressed as, I know how to ride a motorcycle, you cant teach me anything. A Snide attitude is a good description of Mr. Sipple throughout the time he was in the course.
Yes, in the classroom I give examples of students who have failed the course and the problems they had that caused them to fail the course. In the last five years I have only had to dismiss two students, one was Mr. Sipple for foul language. A Rider Coach does not usually dismiss a student from the course. Failure of the knowledge test or the on-cycle evaluation or not satisfactorily completing a phase of the course is considered a failure of the entire course as stated in the Texas DPS Student Information Form that students are required to read, and the RC is required to read back to the class. I require my students to also write Jim read this and initial it.
Cycle Nazi --- I will not address this garbage.
My father was a Capt. in a forward medical unit with Pattons 3rd Army when they liberated two German concentration camps.
Fifth Paragraph
There are no Former Marines. There are only Marines and Marines that have gone forward Mr. Simple says He did not enlist in the Marines, so how could he say my style reminds him of a Drill Instructor? He also says Nor did I expect to attend a Marine Boot Camp, just a motorcycle safety course.
Just a Motorcycle Safety Course?
Mr. Simple, in his phone tirade 3/07/2012 at 2:33 PM stated, To hell with Jim Flaughter and to hell with the Marine Corps.
I, James Martin Slaughter 1955767 am a Marine, and I am proud to have served my country.
Sixth Paragraph
I address a students problems with each and every exercise by referring to the range cards instructions for the exercise and suggest how to alter their approach to the exercise in order to accomplish its objective. Each student is considered as an adult and I treat them in an adult manner.
Mr. Sipples attitude was argumentative and disruptive through out the class. Treating Mr. Sipple as an adult was difficult, during an exercise when I would tell him what he needed to improve on, then he would repeatedly tell me he already had motorcycle license and knew what he was doing. At his very best he was a border line student; he would accomplish the objective once, and then go back to his old ways and bad habits of doing things.
Seventh Paragraph
Mr. Sipple has offered his opinion throughout his whole complaint. He suggests that I take some course in teaching
techniques.
I would like to know what teaching technique courses he has taken, by doing this we could compare the course we have both taken and compare notes and it might help me to understand his resentment and anger toward me and my teaching ability.
Respond to this report!
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