The first time I did Rainier was with a guide service (not RMI) and went up from the White River Campground via Camp Sherman and the Ingraham (have also done it via Muir). About half of the group were prepared, having spent months/years with conditioning hikes, and many miles of snow travel, so use of crampons & ice axes were second nature to them. But, I was a bit naive, and only discovered that for the other half, this was the first time on crampons, roped travel, etc at 2AM and 13K' as we struggled to the top under challenging conditions. I don't know what scared me more - the cravasses/snowbridges around us, or the knowledge that one stumble from an inexperienced crampon-user on my rope team could send us hurtling down a mountain. To realize you're trapped on a rope team with newbies is nothing I'd recommend. And yet, this practice of allowing newbies to climb big mountains, even Everest, is common. I applaud those guide services with require their clients to have climbed with that guide service before in order to be included on certain mountains, as that assures not only the guides, but also the clients, that everyone on the route has a certain level of proficiency and experience. Unfortunately, this practice may be the exception, rather than the rule. I've learned over the years to choose your companions for big mountain climbs carefully, and only climb with those you trust with your life. If you do a climb with a guide service, listen/read very carefully the questions that are asked of you, and how they double-check the accuracy of your replies. If you aren't scrutinized, then realize that your companions aren't either.
If you're looking for a big mountain to climb with reduced risk, then consider Shasta via Avalanche Gulch, or Mt Adams (WA) via the South Spur. An added bonus of Adams is that is has the near-perfect glissade slope from the false summit to an area known as the Lunch Counter. It's a great place to learn glissading with minimal (but no zero) risk, and have an exhilarating experience to boot.
