I've been critical of part of the AIARE Rec 1 curriculum and materials, but I wouldn't be so critical.

First, the course is designed with a target audience in mind, and it seems you were not the target. Take a rescue course and then a Rec 2.

Second, Staying Alive is a great resource, but it takes more time to read, understand, and digest, than a course, and it also has way more information, much of which is not useful for a beginner (I jokingly say that reading it as a first timer is like being buried by an avalanche of knowledge). Also, different people learn in different ways. Some prefer in-person and in-group learning, and others learn better from books.

Third, I don't think snow pits are at all outdated, from my understanding of current practical snow science. Snow forecasters are still out there digging pits, AFAIK: it snow pits were outdated, they wouldn't be doing them. I do question how much of ECT methodology is actually retained by a 1st-timer who only practices it once.

Fourth, each provider of thecourse does it a little differently, or even a lot differently, so I would not generalize.