WWW,
I seem to remember that wasn't quite what you said in the post we're referring to, but if it was what you meant I have no argument with it. "You simply CAN'T go around threatening peoples jobs and expect them to blithley put it down to market forces and 'life's like that". I can, and I do. I just make sure I'm better than they are and have the right attitude and get the job anyway. Better than whinging, don't you think? This isn't a problem unique to aviation, as I said before.
Crash is right; way back you could instruct with a PPL and an AFI rating. I have a friend who still does so, with grandfather rights. She's been instructing a couple of days a week (paid the usual pittance) for years - she enjoys it and gets some free flying. And she's good, very good. We flew to Scotland together for a few days last summer, the first time I'd actually flown with her. She flies like she was born in an aeroplane, and gently managed to coax me into landing unaided in a strong gusty crosswind on a very short runway with an aircraft parked on the undershoot(!). I'm basically a helicopter pilot who just about keeps my f/w licence current, and any other instructor (or experienced pilot) would probably have taken over - and no-one would have blamed them. So whatever else you may say - and there ARE two sides to this - quit questioning the dedication and ability of all non-CPL qualified instructors.
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Whirly
To fly is human, to hover, divine.