silverknapper:
Where ever you do your CPL depends on your own circumstances. Everybody has there own opinion. For me, the weather, the cost and time to completion were the main factors. I went to Delta Connection (Atlantic) to do my CPL and was flying back within a fortnight with a first time pass. The exchange rate has since gone up since I was there, so it would be even better value for money now.
The CPL course is only 25 hours; I have done cross country flights all over the UK, France, Spain and the Channel Islands. Train where you fly ? Surely gaining a broad experience of flying in different places has to be an advantage and demonstrate you are prepared to get off your rear ? The US R/T is not that much different to anywhere else....
Your choice of school..........you really need to visit the ones that impresss you the most......Delta was OK for me...experienced instructors, professional school. However, to get completed in your own time frame you need to be on the ball and push the instructors. When you leave for the day, you need to be assertive and know when you are coming back.......other schools I can't talk for but take on board other peoples experiences. I know people who failed their JAA CPL at one US school because they hadn't taught him part of the syllabus !!!
As for your IR.....cross one bridge at a time........you can't do your IR skills test in the US, it has to be in a JAR state.....from a financial point of view some UK schools may give you a discount on doing a CPL/IR together especially if you also need a twin rating at the same time.....if you are looking around at saving money have a look at Spain. An ME-IR for £6500 !!! With the strength of the euro to the pound that is now £5790 !! I was impressed with the professionalism, time to complete, aircraft and of course cost.....and flying in Spain is no different to the UK except for the weather of course. The cost is due to fuel being 60 cents a litre or 40p to you and me !!!
Happy flying.........