[Number1atNumber2]

Great posts thus far. I can only wonder what this industry is going to do. Personally I've done the CFI, freight route, and I do think its good one to take. If someone gets into a jet right out of flight school, I will admit I do feel a bit jealous because that route was not available to me at the time. But that's my issue.

With that said, I'll say that my opinion on the matter is if you want to do this as a career, don't half-ass it. Will being a CFI first make you a better pilot? I have to say yes. Can you be as good without it? Possibly, some people have been able to.

One thing to note on the flight hour subject: minimums are just that, MINIMUMS. If you have more time than the next guy, you'll have better chances. Short cuts often screw you sooner or later, so I advocate as much diverse experience as possible. Yes seniority matters at the airlines, but what good is it if you can't get the job in the first place, or have to deal with a furlough or other setback?

I'd like to see the pilot community as a whole take some pride in themselves and not accept substandard working conditions.