Rx, I can somewhat relate to you...only in a different way. Our goals are very similar...I knew I wanted to fly for the airlines, but wanted to use medicine as a back up. Little did I know I would eventually lose my medical...so I'm having to fall back on those degrees. You will be in a much better position than your peers, in that you will have experience in a back up career...God forbid you should ever have to use it. Also, making 6 figures...you will enter your new airline position with little debt. If you are married, just make sure your wife realizes that your looking at a major pay cut. If you are not happy in a boring job, then change what your doing. Money is not everything...happiness is. Go make it happen.
Slap...use your time left at your current job to save whatever you can...the less you take out in a student loan, the better off you will be.
Now...rx, to answer your questions...
What's the daily routine like at the school?
You pretty much design your own routine. If you come there with the attitude that you only want to fly 3 times a week, then that's your choice. Some people fly two times a day, wx and instructor depending. Sept should be a good time for you to go there...I went in the winter and found that the weather was terrific...summer we can't say the same for. In between flights, you'll have ground school...and taken your writtens. Basically, you have a lot of design in your course. You have to go there with some motivation...they aren't going to hold your hand the entire way.
Is there a ground school, or are you pretty much on your own in that department?
Yes and no. For your instructor ratings you'll sit in a classroom and go through a formal ground school. For everything else, you can elect to take the classroom style groundschool...or you can do it one on one with your instructor. I liked the one on one...because you could skip the stuff you really felt comfortable on, and could focus on what was giving you trouble. You will have a lot of studying to do on your own though.
Is it really possible to finish everything in 90 days? Have you seen it done? If so what percentage?
It is absolutely possible to finish everything in 90 days. The people at ATP do. At Ari, you CAN finish it in 90...but most people do take a little longer because they choose to. I think in the end it's a better decision. 90 days is very fast, and you will forget stuff...I don't care what anyone tells you. But, if your looking for an immediate CFI, or airline position then you can make it work. If your just looking for the certificates, I really don't recommend it. I only knew a handful of people who did it that fast...most took about 4-5 months. I did it in 3 total but it wasn't all at the same time...as I had other priorities as well - family, school, military commitment, etc. Made it rough, but if your motivated and self-determined you can definitely get it done quickly.
Are some of the multi hours flown as a check pilot?
Your time building stage is flown with another student, or time builder...and yeah you do the PIC/Safety pilot thing. The exception is if your military...you do 55 hours of solo time.
Is there anything that I should be doing to prepare for the Pro Pilot Program before arrival?
Getting the writtens out of the way beforehand is huge. I'm not saying the information on the writtens is at all worthess, but if you can get that done now...and not have to focus on things you don't really use in flight later...you'll thank yourself in the long run. Combine your writtens...for example...take the AI, IGI, and CFII at all the same time. You'll find the information is the same, and you'll see the same questions on the tests as you take them. It beats having to restudy for the CFII later in your training.
Also, brush up on private pilot stuff. Brush up on the FAR/AIM, and if you can look into some multi engine aerodynamics. If you don't have access to the BE-76 POH, I can send you the 'numbers' via email - V speeds, weights, specs, etc. Knowing that stuff prior to will really help cut down on your overall time. You can go there and not brush up on a thing, but with your goal of finishing as quick as possible it'd be wise to cover as much now as you can.
Let's see...anything else off the top of my mind...no not really. Having a positive attitude is the biggest key to finishing quickly. Don't necessarily go there with the attitude of finishing quickly, but rather finishing thoroughly. If you finish in 90 days and don't remember a thing, what good is it? If it takes another month or so and your confident, it'll mean a world of difference.
Good luck to the both of you...if you want the duchess info let me know an email address.
Jenn