HP1982,
To get you're situation into context.............
How much work did you get within that six months???? Any from an operator you had no prior history with??? Any IMC or relatively complicated SP flights????
Not a dig. We know each other, but the low hours +IR route is very high risk
With very low hours and a new IR just about the only option is offshore and if that's not your 'cup of tea' and/or you're unsuccessful, to be blunt you're almost guaranteed to be stuffed
I'm no fan of an FI's pay and conditions, but concur that the safest current route is FI but with lower rewards. I'm not even going to speculate on the credit crunch and how that will affect flight training
Like B73 I know several lucky (and/or very lucky) pilots employment wise. I too know some with IR's that are struggling for work.
There are no guarantees, you simply have to 'go' with the risk you consider acceptable.
CF - you any ancient 'pirate' connections perchance????