I've retracted the bit about calling Pheonix a liar, but I am still very wary about what the instructor is itimated to have said, no sane individual would ever say it.
Whirly, I wouldn't mind being called naive if it were the case. Having been around many schools and instructors and being an arch cynic, I cannot think of any who would think that acceptable and I've been to some pretty appalling places(Nah.. can't bring myself to name any here) and some fantastic ones (Tiger Heli's for example) and nobody would ever send a student if there were alot of CB's around.
I will agree that the place sounds a shambles and I would suggest that TPR goes else where for his training. A private FI is a very good way of going if you can find a good one. I would like to know the names of places like this, so that I never inadvertantly suggest somebody give them a try.