Hi ljjthegreat,
Your plan is definitely exceptional for sure.There are schools in the US and Canada that offer the JAA program for students who want to do the JAA program in a country that is way much cheaper than in Europe.
You will definitely have to check with the JAA guys in Europe with respect to whether the school in US is a certified school given the authority to hold a JAA program.Some schools are given the green light to hold a JAA program but some schools are not and they simply advertise to lure students in and then you realise at the end of the day that school was not certified to even conduct a JAA program,though they have advertised it and you think you are doing it.
In terms of working in the US,brilliant idea..you don't want to come back and get stuck not being able to find a flying job..Chances are that you will be allowed to stay in the US for a year or so only after which you will have to leave the country but by then you will have gained enough flying hours to look attractive to many other employers.In the US they have a J-1 visa that allows you to work for a year after graduation but ONLY as a flight instructor.If you are looking for a flying job as a line pilot with a charter company or so,your chances are close to zero.They rather hire a local american as compared to a foreigner because your immigration status becomes a problem to employers and they don't want to deal with the paper work for you.Your best bet is an FI job and this will definitely give you a whole load of hours.
Advice from myself:go to a smaller flight school as compared to a bigger academy.Your chances of employment will be more excellent.And the training is the same as anywhere you go but yeah you will have to consider your JAA license as well which you are thinking of pursuing as well..
Cheers my friend
