I highly recommend AF of Santa Monica. You definitely want to go with all your writtens done. You really need to have a laptop.

As for Triumph it sounds like you didnt make it through the program which is no reason to give AF the finger. If you put in the time each day like they tell you to and you come with solid flying skills it is not a difficult program to get through. If anyone goes through the program there in SMO I suggest getting Pat Carey for the checkride.

The one thing they do not tell you before you get there is that the $3000 that they advertise is part 61 and to get the two ratings its a whole lot easier and cost effective to go part 141.

I did learn that ATP sucks from guys that came from there...just FYI.