You say "remember" 5,000 hours . . . yeah I do! 1976 to 1981. Those same years required an ATP just to become an instructor. But I also remember decades of 500 hours and onto the puddle jumper. Hell I had students hired by UAL with 500 hours regularly. Of course they were of the proper gender.
I certainly do not remember racking up 750 hours per year as an instructor. Am sure many did, but was not the norm. But if you don't believe 1,500 hour rule has no affect . . . well whatever, your opinion
The general aviation business is really hurting and CFIs do get the hours they once did.
I’m from the same era. Think my peak year was about 600 hrs instruction, and I wasnt really full time year round, although that year it seemed so. Never saw the ground...
But i knew guys doing more in places like Orange County, Phoenix, etc.
It may be improbable now with the slowdown of GA. But it was not impossible back then...
So OK: lets call it three years now. So what? 18 to 21, you fly 500 hrs / yr?
Pretty relaxed really, especially if it was something like overnight freight (everyone’s flown for Amflight, right?!). Beats McDarnalds...and you dont have to speak Spanish.