I chose the US of A rather than Europe because of cost and I was assured that I would be trained within a FAA environment to JAA standards. That promise made to me has been proven to be true, if it wasn't this website would be the first place I'd air it. I was in the same position as you lot are exactly a year ago and have no problem shopping anyone I encounter who pulls a fast one on me and my money, after all I am Scottish and have national stereotypes to uphold.
My training from 0 to ATP & ATPL(f) licences will works out at around £18,000 ish after my accomodation is paid and renummeraiton for instructing. With living expenses, £6k for on a budget, £12k living comfortably. I chose the latter.
Only thing is I might not have the 'executive elevator' to a airline at the end of my training that some big European schools we all know of promise/boast of/spin/and in some cases actually deliver, however I hope that 1,500 hours in busy airspace and CFI/CFII & MEI licences may grease me into that first gucci job.
Stephen
NB - KLGB is class Delta airspace, the only Bravo in the basin is LAX. However I have been told Long Beach is the 13th busiest airport in the world in terms of aircraft movements, not 100% sure on that one tho
