I don't know the schools "over East" but as a general rule I've found that customer service is inversely proportional to the glossiness of the brochure. All that glitters is not gold!
Very true.
Mike a sim instructor? I Assume thats for the QF cadetship?
You need to hunt around a bit and find out who the instructors are. There are some experienced ga instructors that are absolute gold - Eglen was one (RIP) Chesterfield, Salmon, Dunbar. GA and Airline legends - if you can get taught by people like them or them then you will be ahead of me and the rest of us. The thing is if you've got
it in you, you'll make it in the end.
However getting taught by the right people makes life in GA alot easier. Training is important but your attitude is what will make the difference in the very long term.
I've heard some very good reports about Gil Llayts also - they've produced some of the best stick and rudder guys I've seen.