Yo Dutchy!
I realise my log in rather gives away who I am - hope you are well, Sir, and have made a start on ATPLs.
I agree with what you say - I chose EFT by luck (hearing about some of the others I was very lucky). The instruction is excellent, the organisation is very good with it being easy to book aircraft, fill with fuel and fly off with the minimum of admin headaches. Of course there are the odd problems but nothing that would make me think of looking elsewhere. The worst thing that has happened is the £:$ exchange rate and I can't really blame EFT for that. (Needless to say now I am reaching the end of training the rate is getting more favourable for us Brits).
I arrived in December and have done night rating, FAA IR, ME IR, JAA CPL and just finishing FI course. Due to the wonders of US immigration I have to go home in a week or so but will then pop to Exeter to do my JAA IR conversion.
I would certainly recommend to any pilot to get some flying in the US. No landing fees, many airports, lots and lots of lit runways for night flying, GPS approaches, amazing weather (in Florida anyway) - when I first arrived I was open-jawed at how different it was to flying in England.
Shortly after I arrived, I booked an aircraft. I filled it up myself from the fuel truck on site (at about 8pm!!) and took off for a 100 mile trip to the other coast at night. I arrived at my destination (about the size of Shoreham). No-one was there - but that was not a problem - announce your arrival on the Unicom frequency and land after getting the airport information from another frequency. After landing, I taxied to the ramp and refuelled at the bowser paying by VISA card. The place was deserted apart from a little restaurant bar which appeared to have a light on. No problem - someone popped their head out of the bar and let me through the airport gate to come in. I had a lovely prawn dish, went back to the aircraft and flew back to Fort Pierce, following three VORs on my 100 mile route. Even though I was VFR, I was able to get a radar service the whole route. On reaching the home airport (quite late - I think it was about 11.00pm) I noticed the lights were not switched on. No problem again - click the transmit switch three times on frequency and 'on' they come. I was able to land on a totally lit runway with taxiways resembling a flattened blue Christmas tree. And it didn't cost me a penny to land.
Imagine trying to repeat the flight above in the UK!
Coming to Florida is more than just 'cheaper' with better weather and I would heartily recommend it.
Doesn't surprise me that Dutchy is there again after ATPLs!
cheers
Glen