As one who has moved on to airline flying from instructing I can say that for me instructing is more fun and definitely more fulfilling, although not necessarily harder work. I still instruct part-time (although mostly confined to aerobatics and examining, partly as I don't want to take work from other FIs) and will do as long as I can. The reality of instructing is simply that you cannot live on the money and even the best jobs (I used to work at JEFTS where the salary was £30k+) do not pay more than a reasonable wage. I now work for a turboprop operator with varied routes - and weather - in my part of the world (Loganair, Scotland) and that keeps the job interesting; from what I know of it medium/long haul jet flying is not the same kettle of fish and the dosh then becomes the main factor. Another thing is that, having been an instructor, you are better placed to become a training captain if/when you do go to an airline. Now that IS hard work and definitely keeps you 'interested'
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