Gattman wrote
Weird. Virtually every instructor endorsement in my logbook includes
either "CFI" or "CFII"

My Flight Instructor Certificate states that I have priveliges as a
FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR. The letters CFI appear only as a part of the
certificate number and although one of my ratings is INSTRUMENT-
AIRPLANE, the letters CFII appear nowhere on the certificate.

When indorsing a student's logbook and am asked for my certificate
number, I too place the letters CFI after 1450645 because that is my
certificate number.

As a practicing flight instructor for the past 37 years in addition
to being a Naval Aviator and Pan American pilot, I find that in general,
flight instructors aren't the brightest bulbs on the planet.

Bob Moore
FI ASE-IA
ATP B-707 B-727 L-188