"Very few want to/ can be bothered telling me their experience." - a bit harsh - you only posted 8 hrs back! We don't all live on line...
Personally, I don't get the chance very often, so when I do I jump at it. My last was last winter, organised unofficially with RYR, through a contact with the base captain. Very helpful & useful. Prior to that, pretty much wrecked by 9/11, prior to that, yes, had a few & always got benefit, & had regular opportunities to sit in on LOFT training, again, very helpful both ways.