"Just as bad is this BS about briefing time and charging for it!!! Sure we need briefings, but much of it can be done in the ACFT."
Ok so when someone goes to court, and they want a little pre-courtroom assistance from a lawyer, you expect him to donate his time like you do an instructor.....??
A diligent student, with an enthusiastic instructor, should only need a 30 minute brief prior to departure.... Money well spent to understand completely what is going to be taught in the air.
Considering that a lesson block of two hours only involves 1 hour flying, then a school would be stupid not to try and recoup some of the time they are paying for....
Correct me if I've misinterpreted your statement here.....