Originally Posted by
JimEli
Having the CFI rating could open additional job opportunities. But, if you want to build real experience that will benefit you throughout your career, get out of the traffic pattern.
Common misperception. You learn a ton in the pattern. Cross country flying is, of course, necessary but that's the easy part. After instructing for a 1,000 hours or so, I found the pattern is where you hone your skills that you will need outside the pattern. Anybody can fly A to B.