Originally Posted by
LAfrequentflyer
The best plan is not a small town FBO. Look at the accelerated flight training programs out there. ATP comes to mind but there are other...
Don't worry about the groundschool. Everything you'll need to pass the FAA and airline interviews can be found in FAA publications and on-line.
-LAFF
Dude, I trained at both, and the small FBO is DEFINATELY the way to go, but you have to do your homework!
By contrast the vast majority of the big schools charge WAY to much for the same product you get at your home town patch.
Despite all of the advertising and hype (who do you think PAYS for the full page ads in Flying magazine?) the big schools are limited by the same common denominator as the small school or FBO: The 23 year-old CFI who has apps in at 9 regionals! In fact you are more likely to find an older career CFI (or retired airline/military pilot) at the small school/FBO.
If you can't find a decent CFI at your home airport, then I would consider ATP as a last resort. ATP seems more reasonably priced than the other big schools.