Part 61 or part 141 the hours are the same. In part 141 it is more structured, with certain subjects required to be taught in a certain sequence.

If you are a veteran with GI BIll you want 141. If you want to go at your own pace 61 is best.

Any hiring boom is probably about 6 years from now when retirements start to ramp up at some of the majors. So starting now and getting time built up could theoretically put you in good position for that boom.

Going to a big school does offer the benefit of possibly becoming a CFI at that school, and giving you a steady supply of students.

A buddy of mine went to a small school, and the training was great, but now he's a CFI for that small school and spends most of his time at the hanger/office hoping to find a student.