Minus 273 excellent post very little to add.
Absolutely go for a J1 visa, the only one that allows work.
Doing JAA training in the US/Canada still leaves no European experience at the end.
Therefore my recommendation to do final conversion training in your home country.
Send clowns, the only thing I do not agree with in your post is the statement about UK training being the best.
Little on the arrogant side unless I missed some tongue in cheek here, but every man entitled to his opinion....