Most "quality" CPL/IR courses tend to run on the basis of 1 instructor to 2 students with a dedicated aircraft for the instructor. That way you brief with your buddy in the morning and alternate between flying or back seating during the day. Don't underestimate the benefit of back seating as you will learn so much sitting in the back watching someone else go through the hoops.
Things you don't want to see in the CPL/IR are:-
- 1 aircraft between a number of instructors
- getting shoved around various instructors who will all invariably have different ways of doing things
As for PTC I think on average they get good press. However I have lost count of the number of Irish wannabees I come across training in the UK. I think the decision to come across the ditch could be down to price rather than any quality concerns.