It depends what criteria you use to define a 'good school'.
Yes, it's true there are lots of complaints on this board by FT's. Yet there are many FT's who choose to remain anonymous.
The great thing about teaching EFL in China is the diversity of the EFL field here. You can apply to training centres or kindergartens or junior high schools or senior high schools or colleges or universities as you see fit.
It's not necessary to have a Western four-year degree or a TEFL diploma, but without either it will be more difficult to land a job in higher education. However, being white is a big plus, though white females are preferred.
The only problem for you will be that it's well into the first semester here, which is not an ideal time for advertised job vacancies. I suggest you apply this November for 2nd semester vacancies. Expect to be in class late February/early March 2010. Welcome to China!

I have been browsing through a bunch of threads in this forum and have only found negative impressions (on the most part) regarding any and all FT positions in China. I am very interested in packing up and heading to China to partake in the rise of the country. I am not qualified like some of the posters on this site. I have no teaching experience or university degree.

I have an associates degree in business, 2 years work experience in a university as an enrollment counselor, military experience and a bunch of other work experience. On top of that hill of qualifications :) I do have a love for kids. I also just submitted my passport application this morning also. I'm very excited!

In your experience and understanding of the esl work environment/opportunities what type of chance do I have to find a good school to start in a career in ESL. While I know my associates degree is very minimal on education requirements, I do plan on getting my bachelors degree through a distance education module.

Additionally, I have been thinking about taking an online TEFL cert program. While I understand that the best cert programs are the Trinity TESOL and the CERTA, I am definetly not at that level presently and don't have the resources or time to execute them. I am leaning (if I do it) toward ICAL for no real reason other the the online modality and the overall cost of the program. In your opinon, would recieving such a certificate improve, or not improve my eligability to work as an esl teacher?

While I do understand that any further education within the constructs of being a teacher would be benificial, would the cert. make any real difference. I can personally get tefl books and resources to substitute for the knowledge transferance of the program. Would it be worth it? :)

Thanks everyone for any input you may have

And in closing, yes we are finally there for those who bore with me. I have read a few threads concerning physical discrimatory practices upon hiring FT's. I have enclosed a picture of me. As you can tell, I am not a blue haired, blue eyed type of guy. I am 31 and fit. Would I have any problems in your opinion?

Thanks again everyone!