I dont think the new ones are any better, as I have purchased a slx in last few months and had the same problem this week. The pipe pulled out of the conector inside and the goose neck was a night mare to get out, First job of the day needed that pole for a lot of high stuff, did manage to get it out by undoing the clamp and placeing a screw driver behind goose neck and hammerd it out took a good 15 mins, trying to hold pole under your arm and hold srewdriver and hammer at the same time.
Alex way of course is far better, but when your out on the job, difficult.
Why have a connector in the pole? I'm going to get rid of the connector or buy another red barbed connector like the other side has.