I didn't realize I was such a jerk! I thought that most people reading these are level-headed and nice and that we all shake our heads at the crazy disgruntled people who post a lot. I was just trying to save a lot of people a lot of time by explaining exactly where I was at and how I got there. Your advice is solid, albeit sometimes easier said than done haha

Your questions about type of flight school, 61 vs 141, has been asked and answered many time on these boards. Use the search function and see what multiple answers look like from posters who have asked the questions at different times and in different ways. In a nutshell, it all about the instructor; good, bad, outstanding or indifferent. If you know how to tell the good from the not so good before you leave the ground the first time, you are better than most at sizing up a person you barley know. I suggest giving anyone at least 3 chances to teach/impress/not offend before giving them the heave ho but be sure to do so if they fail this simple test. Is the instructor briefing you before you leave the school building and after the engine stops and you are finished flying? Is the instructor, preoccupied with other things while with you, in or out of the airplane (texting, phoning, or just disengaged from you) ? Does the instructor go straight from you to their next student, and conversely, did he/she do the same at the beginning of your lesson? If this sounds like your experience, dump the instructor, don't even give them the chance to convince you of a second try, just do it after the fact and with the scheduler at the school. If you get grief from the "management" than dump the school, whether FAR 61 or 141. It should be relatively easy to change instructor at a 141 school, keep your reasons to yourself if your not comfortable bad mouthing your current teacher. At a small 61 flight school it could be more awkward because of the size of the operation, but still its your money and your training.

Otherwise, as others have said, don't look too far ahead at this point. Don't take out loans to fly and expect to have little help with the academics which are very important but is heavily dependent on the student to self study. That said, your instructor should find the time and help with questions and suggested reading. Good luck

I was asking about Blue Line Aviation as a flight school in particular, and I didn't see any information about that operation on here anywhere. I do appreciate your response, especially about taking control of the process and not being afraid to find a CFI that is doing his/her job and is a good fit!