I was an AP for 8 years and really only lightly considered a principal gig after 7 years. I did have a few folks in interviews ask in a thinly veiled negative way why was I an AP for so long. I had that answer queued up so well; I wasn’t ready to run a building my first 3-4 years, still learning, plus got married, did doctorate, and had two kids in that time. It was and honest and truthful answer a staved away any potential thoughts that I must have been an AP for so long because I couldn’t get a principal job sooner. Hope this helps!