I agree with Speakers. For the "majority" of students conversions end up hugely more expensive than just going JAA in the first place.
The claim about FAA PPL being harder is also dubious. Agree the knowledge is higher - but at the FTO where I work we have continuous problems with students doing their JAA commercial from FAA PPLs as they never understood the fundamentals. I would say the "majority" of students go over at this stage.
I.e skimp at the PPL level pay later at Commercial and IR level (which is more expensive) Not saying that all FAA schools are bad - if the syllabus is taught properly, and well it's just as good - it just seems there is a massive training standard difference between different FAA schools.
Doesn't matter how good the house is, if the foundations are crap the house is crap.
Anyhow, is this guy after JAA or FAA licences?