Thanks both,
Having to get the IR within the 36 months is the worry....I am in no rush to be off flying airliners - the guiding concern is that I have the money for "either/or" at the moment, but not both!
If I went straight for the instructors rating I would hope to be earning sufficient to be able to demonstrate to the bank I could handle the loan for the IR....
I am tending more towards the Instructors rating as it is something I really want to do in any case, and as you point out Robione - pretty desperate odds of getting any work as a low timer CPL/IR for the next fair while...
Nice to hear what others have thought and done whilst in this position though,
Cheers
Laurie.