I agree with you, but also disagree with you. I got my CFI in the summer of 07. Back then, the only reason I got CFI was to keep myself current in flying, so my answer to "So, tell me what you have been doing since you got your multi-comm and now" was not "I was on my lazy boy drinking beer watching family guy. Now, I am so glad I actually went out and got my CFI.

I chose not to get my CFI for a couple reasons. The most important being that I think I would be a lousy teacher. Also, because I found a job at a 135 operator (which turned out to be a big waste of time.) After being told I would take a 25% paycut to my barely above food stamp wages, and that I would need to sign a contract (which I refused to do), I was fired. Now I'm sitting here with 500tt/400multi/300 turbine and no CFI. I think I'm just gonna cut my losses in this industry. Flying is my passion, I definitely have the bug. But you get to a point where you need a decent paycheck and job security, and I can't see that in my future in aviation. I applied to nursing school today...

FWIW,
Until UPS started hiring again in late 04, these were the minimums.

The late 90's was 2500tt, ATP written, FE written or rating, FCC license and 1st class medical.

Later, 1000 PIC was added (not turbine), and finally what there is today.

There are some junior captains, not any more, who don't meet today's minimums, but that wasn't the case when hired.

Guess I'm just waay old school, but there will always be nepotism and good ol' boys clubs and squadron buddies. And once in a while a 90-day wonder who no one will ever trust because his or her ability to GET a job far exceeds his ability to PERFORM one. My advise to all would-be professional pilots is to take the time and effort to become really good at each rung of the ladder. It's not enough for you to just get a CFI...instruct long enough to get really good at it. I know someone who expressed his desire to spend BIG BUCKS at some fancypants school to get checked out in the right seat of a King Air. I asked him why he'd want to squander so much for training to be a non required crewmember...a King Air is a single pilot airplane! Never mind the king air and instruct until you have 135 multi minimums, get a navajo or 400 series cessna job...and once again get really good at it.
When you finally get in to the Hero Chair of that shiny jet you'll have the chops to be there. Sorry I'll get off my soap box, now.

Why would you want to do anything else but drink beer and watch family guy. Sounds like a great sunday night.

Well said "j1b3ho" I couldn't agree more.
I guess that makes me old school too.

I agree people should take their time and be good at each step before preceeding onto bigger and better. Unfortunately, this industry is monetary based and even though the loan meltdown has slowed flight training it won't stop these programs from placing people into a jet in the future. They are just trying to ride this painful period out like everyone else. What that means is the zero to hero SJS person will always have the resources to get into the right seat.

Having a CFI right now will allow you to be the first in line of the hiring wave. All the furloughed and people currently waiting this period out will either take those jobs or not. Once that pool dries up thats when the system to enable someone to go from no time to jet time will kick in. If someone wanted to not CFI right now they wouldn't have to, and I'd think they could still make it into a jet in a couple of years when hiring picks up. Someone could get a job that pays enough for them to save enough to pay for the zero to hero program in a few years. Either way, if they CFI or not the companies are going to take em'. Its a vicious cycle...

Maybe a few years ago brotha, but if the all-powerful computer puts you in 'on-file' status, you're SOL. Thanks OBAP.

Getting my CFI/II/MEI years ago was great. Glad I did and I learned more from doing that about aviation than in any other job.

Been a 121 Captain for a long time now. Let my CFI lapse.

The reason is simple. If this industry turns so far south that the only job I can find is a CFI job, than I will bail from this profession.

Got my CFI-II so i could instruct, it was before the hiring boom took off like crazy. Renewed it with my ATP and Captain responsibilities, and am glad i did. Not that i want to go back to being a CFI, however, i'm looking for a way out of the industry, and if things work out the way they are, a CFI'ing on weekends job might be more than enough to get my taste of aviation....It's either that, or join a flying club...But we'll see which one wins out.