Starchkr,
Amen.
ATRCA,
Your points are valid. I instructed for over 1000 hrs myself. 300 of them in twins and 625 in instrument training/twins (I have a filter on my electronic logbook, I'm not THAT anal). I'm very comfortable flying and was the instructor that would always chase IMC conditions, going as far as refusing to sign off until they had time in actual. That said, you will never get better real world experience then this kind of flying. Nighttime; always on the backside of the clock (we don't have to go into the exponential increase in risk on this one), single pilot (even having a human, pilot or not, with you lends a calming effect to the subconscious), approaches to mins on a regular basis (try flying into JAX @ 6am Mon. - Thurs among others.....it's in the middle of a swamp), wishful luxuries such as an autopilot don't exist on the rattle traps that I get to fly (but they're as safe as they can make 'em), and no dispatch to hold your hand and make decisions for ya.
Just some points I had on my mind, but I've done both and although I learned a ton from instructing and would certainly do it all over again, flying in the conditions we do doesn't really compare to flight instructing.
troy,
"I was thinking of myself, after the commercial and multi, and just skipping CFI."
They won't even look at you without your CFI ticket(s). It is strongly preferred there.