RXS676,

For what it's worth here's my cents.

Flying training like anything else in life is personality driven. Stop by the schools that fit your budget and timeline and see if these are the kind of guys/gals that you wouldn't mind spending your life savings to have them teach you the business and get you that much closer to your flying goals.

I got my ATP and FEW from All ATP's in North Las Vegas a couple of months ago. Not sure if I would recommend this location due to the volume of air traffic in the pattern and airspace.

After 15 years of flying and most of it in fighters, I incorrectly assumed that the level of instruction would be commensurate with that of military UPT. I was wrong about the instruction and also to assume that a civilian business should have conducted themselves in he same manner as the Air Force.

Long story short, there was a retired army tank commander working his 80 hours a month building time and he and I got along just fine. His instruction was fair at best but that’s about what you get from a very junior CFI that knows only the ATP system. Please remember that there is no replacement for lots of time and air under you’re a@&. This is especially true when you are trying to impart wisdom upon a hungry student.

Shop around (just like you're doing) and talk to the instructors. If they seem like cocky pricks or inept instructors then walk (with your fat checkbook). If you do meet some folks that you would enjoy learning from, ask if they will be there a while, at least for your training window. I have kept in touch with a couple of the guys at All ATP (N Las Vegas) and they have had a great deal of turnover.

Whatever you do, whever you go. enjoy your training, make the most out of the cross countries and see some cool places, by all means network while you're there, and study hard.

Best of luck and kick butt,

Tonka