I've seen mention of instructing on this thread. I just got my CFI last December and I've been able to bill a whopping 40 hours of dual given since then. I just picked up my MEI and I'm lucky to be with a school that not only actually has a twin but very few MEI's. Frustrating...but the GF is good with it (she's an RN - talk about $$$ and in demand!).

The "pool" of interested trainees is drying up folks. I knew I was fortunate to get a CFI job...but didn't know how fortunate until I noticed the almost never-ending stream of new Aviation Management graduates, furloughed 300 hour wonders, furloughed 135 pilots, ATP/Comair Academy/pilot factory wunderkinds, and more who walked in the office to dop a resume for almost no students to teach to begin with. (Resumes went right in the trash but I still felt bad for those who were really trying to hit the pavement).

Basically, EVERYONE is doing the same hitting of the pavement - some with 300TT+, type ratings, 121/135 experience, etc. The thing you may have in your favor...is you DON'T have 3000TT+, a type rating, 121/135 experience. The high powered types, well, we know they'll just leave at the drop of a hat so why bother bringing them in to begin with?

This thing will eventually turn and when it does, watch out! Age 65 finally hitting + ex pilots ****ed off from several furloughs and went into another career + no one particularly lining up to get their ratings due to the, ahem, "dynamics" of this industry = a real interesting time just waiting to happen.