Gonville,
I totally agree with what your saying and am now going to do it this way!
I figured that I am only 19 so doing 2-3 years of instructing will not hinder my chances with an airline as i should only be around 22ish by the time I can look to the airlines, plus i can still live at home (if I get an instructing job local) and therefore save for my IR, and do it nearer the time. I think at the moment instructing jobs should be a little easier to come across than an airline job when i only have 250hrs.
Like WWW said it only took him around 18 hours to do his IR and ME because he was so used to flying in Instrument Conditions etc that it was sooo much easier.
Just one question though, to anyone who has done this or thinking of doing this, if you apply to the bigger schools i.e any of the approved places, do you need an IR rating as well as an FI or is that not a factor?
Cheers,
Si