Originally Posted by
mmaviator
IIRC you can do II and MEI at the same time? I would suggest getting your II and get hired somewhere. When your hired some where you might get a deal on multi time and find another CFI looking to get his MEI(5 hours pic in type). If job hunting is not being prosperous then just do as you stated.
Just my .00001 yen.
I did my II and MEI combined but that's at my part 141 school and I am not sure how common it is. I have actually not heard of any other place that does it.
I second what others are saying - do the MEI time and money permitting while you are still in checkride mode. I got my MEI and have not (And probably will not) used it but I am glad I got it. I just like knowing I have all the CFI certs and CAN use it if needed although I doubt any place I could. Most schools have instructors who are already senior enough to get multi students. The "upgrade" at our school is around 3 years.