I did all 3 for $5,000 8 years ago.

There really isn't that much material to learn if you are current and didn't dump everything you learned up to that point. The only thing new is flying from the right seat (takes a couple flights) and learning how to teach.

Before you can teach the material, you must know it. You already paid previous CFIs to teach you the stuff, so just study your old notes. Practice explaining stuff to the instructor before you get in the plane. If you can't do it on the ground, then there is no point of going in the air.

[QUOTE=TiredSoul;2346510]Somebody needs to explain the reason for a $2000 "assessment"

TiredSoul, I was wondering about the need for the assessment when I am going my CFI and multi-time at the same school...

[QUOTE=TiredSoul;2346510]They take $600/month off the bill every month you work as a CFI.

That is an interesting idea... Though I would not want to be locked into a school for more than one year of CFI ideally... But I will totally look into this.

Does anyone care where you obtain your ratings from? Meaning is the name of the school/etc important?

It doesn't matter. However, the comm/instrument from an approved 141 school and college allows you to reduce your minimums for the ATP!

In regards to your original post about the value of adding a CFII and MEI, I am not convinced it is as "valuable" (meaning Return on Investment) as it used to be! 85% of the instruction and checkrides I did were at the private level. In addition, I've heard if you hold the CFII and MEI, flight schools shove you in the flight simulator. Instructing in a flight simulator is valuable for headwork but useless for obtaining the ATP. I think the plain old CFI should build you plenty of hours. Try it on for size and go for the additional ratings later down the road if you feel so inclined!

Yes and no.
Lot of schools would prefer you'd do it with them as you are then very familiar with their teaching materials, ground school and airplanes.
You're also of a known quality now.
So I'd start shopping for a job with your CFI only and make CFII/MEI negotiations part of the hiring process.
For your next job it doesn't matter much.

Thanks for the reply and advice.

Thanks! This seems like the best thing to do. I know that the situation is always changing, but it seems that CFIs are in a fairly high demand currently.. Should be a buyers market.

A lot of flight schools are paying for or giving a deeply discounted MEI and sometimes CFII ratings for instructors on staff.

For the prices you're quoting, I would not get either rating. For CFII, if you teach a school that has sims, a lot will let instructors use the sims for free. You can do 80% of the rating yourself by sitting in a frasca and self-study. Then a couple flights with a buddy + checkride and examiners fee... you shouldn't be paying more than $1500 altogether for a CFII add-on if you are currently teaching at a flight school. If you need a II to get hired somewhere, then find somewhere that doesn't totally gouge you for a 172 or archer, go through the PTS yourself, study as much IFR stuff as you can, chair-fly, and show up ready to get it done in only a few hours. Get a school to pay for MEI.