So I suppose I will take the first punch here
This is exactly the same thing I have heard from every pilot who went straight to a regional job rather than instructing, or who wants to take that route. Only those of us who have instructed know how intangibly valuable flight instructing is. You can't explain how well you really begin to understand flying and the very fine nuances of it as an instructor. Not to mention what it means to be a professional pilot. Atwoo, I don't have ill words for you or anyone who had the opportunity to take an airline job without "having" to get your CFI because I probably would have taken the same path if it was available to me. Your "arguments" don't quite hold water though.
Being a CFI is the very first opportunity you have to be a leader. Sure other jobs may give you the opportunity to be PIC but more than likely you are going to be sitting alone much less have someone to the right of you. The first day I was an instructor was so much different than the last day I was a student. My first day as a captain was remarkably similar. Simplifiying instructing as trying to keep people from violating or killing you is very...well, simple. The idea that you can learn how to be a good captain (read leader) from just observing what is happening on your left is obsurd. You may have an idea of what does or does not make a good captain, but will you know
how to do it?
And while your friends that went ahead and instructed are still waiting for calls, is anyone getting in ahead of them? I would guess not. And who do you think are going to be the first ones to get called when they start hiring off the street again? So how much senority are they really losing right now? I imagine they are also doing more flying right now than your friends on furlough...
OnTheWayUp, I know it hurts that you lost your job and kudos for standing up for what you believe you are worth regardless of the outcome. I doubt very many here would be able to make that stand. I would like to ask though; if hindsight were 20/20 and you had the chance to instruct rather than take the 135 job, would you have done it?
I started instructing July 2, 2001. We all know what happened two months later. At the time none of us really expected to instruct more than a year (long term). In fact, flying 135 cargo was the traditional next step. The two instructors at my school that had just left for inital ground school ended up snagging instructing jobs after getting their classes postponed. Ironically, I flew more the summer of 2002 than any other time to date. Granted its not the same scenario as today, but it is something to chew on. And if I may also say, if you cared enough to conclude you would make a lousy instructor, you would have made an exceptional instructor. If you really love it as you say, don't give up because nothing else will measure up
Good luck in the future!
I hope this all makes sense as I'm now two beers in,
Cheers everyone!