Originally Posted by Flyhayes

I take exception with doing the CFI-I as the initial CFI certificate, personally I don't take on students that want it done this way. It's a loophole students and schools use to pass the CFI course quicker (i.e. it produces a watered down pool of flight instructors). This is one of the main reasons a high percentage of CFI candidates must do their checkride directly with the flight examiners at the FSDO. Even the frowns upon this as the FAA never meant for the rules to allow for anything other than taking the CFI as the initial. Now don't get me started on the CFI/CFI-I 2 week courses!
Those are just my tarnished two pennies...