Seems like you had a problem with the quality of your training in the US. This is unacceptable, wherever it may be.
However, in general, the standard of flight training in the US is very good, and the potential cost saving benefits make it very worth while. If you go to a good school you will NOT need 10 hrs of dual flight in the UK to get into the system. The laws of physics don't change across the pond, and frankly the only major differences are airspace / RT issues, which are easily resolved by reading your airlaw book. If you can pass the JAA exams then you should have a good understanding of the UK airspace system.
Of course its up to you, but you think you're paying nearly £7000 in the UK, and at todays x rate, probably £3000 in the US. Allow 5 hrs transitional training in the UK and you'll be fine. Do a complex endorsement in this time if you want.......In general the JAA schools in the US are either in Florida or California, and you get plently of exposure to busy airspace (the whole of the LA basin is controlled airspace), so thats not a worry. You may have to liase with military controllers to get radar services through MOA's, but its really nothing particularly different to the UK (Who you are, where your are, what you want!). The weather is far less predictable in these parts of the US than you would believe, and there are plenty of times you need to make a go / no-go decision due to wx. You have the added feature of large mountains in the Western USA, which you'll never meet in the UK. Its good training, you learn a lot about mountain flying, density altitude, engine leaning etc. which is a good thing.
Anyway, goood luck !
Cheers
EA
