Homeguard,
Unfortunatlely for some, like me, money is an issue. Terms and conditions are bad enough at the moment even with a shortage of instructors. An influx of PPL FI's will certainly not improve conditions. I was able to justify the cost of CPL/FIC/Class 1 medical etc to my family on the basis that I would be able to slowly recover the costs over the years. What frustrates me the most is the existing instructors who are selling out their colleagues at the lower end of the food chain.
As I have stated in previous posts I believe the only reason the rules are changing is because it suits the industry to save costs. As ever, no thought is given to those who have supported the industry over the years.
If I were an FIC instructor the new plans might be a good thing as I would be waiting for the influx of new PPL FI candidates. If I were an examiner I would also be unaffected by new low hour PPL FI's.......But, what happens when new PPL FI's become experienced PPL FI's and the industry is running out of commercial instructors? (Lets face it, in this new structure, would you really pay for a CPL if you didn't have intentions of moving on from instructing?)........ Perhaps the industry and Senior CFI's could put together a paper saying how ridiculous it is that PPL's, as the most experienced instructors on the planet, can't teach to CPL level? Heh presto entry requirements and pay fall again.
Those of you who hope to instruct long term and are staying quiet, remember.... "you reap what you sow!!!"