As someone who has been there and done it,a quick word of advice. I went and done my FI rating. Although Islander/Multi (Paradropping) time is good if you are low on multi,if you were to go to an airline and they asked you how you accumulated your multi time, they may look at you "a bit different" when you reveal you did some paradropping. To them, paradropping is a more "up and down" experience rather than an "A - in the cruise - To B" experience. Get what I'm saying to you? I recommend getting an FI rating; the quickest way to get your hours up. If you can mix the two of them than even better(an increase of total plus multi time as well). From what my fellow ex-instructors told me who have been there, you dont get to fly that many paradropping sorties (weather, etc.)and you may not even get paid for it. Best case scenario(for me, anyways). After 1.5 years as an FI, I accumulated 1200 hours. Yes, I worked my nuts off but you get out of it what you put in. Get the FI rating, you know it makes sense. Good luck!