These magical air taxi/freight/survey work/instructor jobs simply don't exist on a sufficient scale anymore. Combine that with the fact that some people are just willing to throw money at the problem of not having a job and it's the perfect breeding ground for SSTR and P2F. SSTR imho is distinct from P2F in that however annoying it is, it's an employers market and if you don't pay someone else will.
As a low hour pilot right now, even with a very good CV, it is VERY hard to get a job. You have to have experience to get experience. To be a modular self improver now at a school that isn't very well known right now seems utter madness to me.