"ATP should require 4 year degrees for their career pilot program."

Why is that?

"Whats a good benchmark for a CFI?"

They didn't tell you it was stupid to instruct to ATP mins because of some sort of negative return point as a CFI. They are saying don't wait to 1500 total to get the regional job if you could get it at 1000.

Everyone differs on CFI burnout. It's not so much that you stop learning but more that you stop being effective, at some point, because you get sick of it and need to move on. Also, as you instruct, and build your time to the point you become qualified for other jobs, the grass is greener syndrome kicks in and makes CFI burnout syndrome twice as strong.