I haven’t read the article yet but sounds to me like someone who has had some half-baked advice and is a bit immature. Let’s hope he learns a bit and thinks more before engaging mouth the next time…
I’m not an instructor but in a position where I could choose to become one. What puts me off slightly is the T & C. Given the experience instructors I know have, they are paid a pitiful amount and work very hard for it. It must also be a bit disheartening to be asked regularly when you’re going to get a ‘proper’ flying job. Helicopter instructors seem to be a little better off – certainly some of the hourly rates I’ve heard make the job more sustainable as a career. I don’t know how we solve the catch22 though – pay the instructors more but don’t make flying prohibitively expensive (there are enough trying to do that already).
On the hours-builders side, I don’t necessarily think they are a bad thing. I know instructors who started that way and liked it so much they stayed. There’s also one who got his jet job, did that and came back because he likes to instruct. I believe that if someone is prepared to put in the effort and try to do their best for their student, they should be welcomed. Until there is another equally valuable and economical way to build hours and the pay reflects the role more, I can’t see things changing much. Fair assessment?