  We present SPLOT, a small scale pilot survey to test the potential of
snapshot (single epoch) linear imaging polarimetry as a supplementary tool to
traditional transient follow-up. Transients exist in a vast volume of
observational parameter space and polarimetry has the potential to highlight
sources of scientific interest and add value to near real-time transient survey
streams. We observed a sample of $\sim 50$ randomly selected optical transients
with the EFOSC2 and SofI instruments, on the 3.6m New Technology Telescope
(NTT) to test the feasibility of the survey. Our sample contained a number of
interesting individual sources: a variety of supernovae, X-ray binaries, a
tidal disruption event, blazar outbursts, and, by design, numerous transients
of unknown nature. We discuss the results, both for the individual sources and
the survey in detail. We provide an overview on the success and limitations of
SPLOT and also describe a novel calibration method for removing instrumental
polarisation effects from Nasymth-mounted telescopes. We find that a SPLOT-like
survey would be a benefit to the large scale future transient survey streams
such as LSST. The polarimetric measurements have added scientific value to a
significant number of the sources and, most importantly, has shown the
potential to highlight unclassified transient sources of scientific interest
for further study.
