What Triumph says...

One of my best training experiences (and I've worked with several mom and pop FBOs and two training "academies") was a little FBO at Tucson International. My instructor was a retired Marine A-4 pilot. The instruction was great, and it was cheap. I think you can do well by shopping around and talking to several instructors at different operations.

The worst experience was a training academy for my ATP. I had to threaten to go to the better business bureau to get some action from their accounting dept.

There might be some guys better qualified to answer on other threads (regionals?).

Good luck with your guard and reserve applications. The military has some headaches, but I have had a blast for the last few years.