Used to work for SAA. At the time they were focusing mostly on ab-initio training programs, European and Chinese customers. I know some guys that came on special programs with specific needs were down prioritized in favor of the ab-initios when the capacity couldn't meet the demand, i.e. they were short of planes/instructors. But lots of things have changed since then including new owners. Like most places the instructors are fresh taking it as a stepping stone in their career. Used to be many Swedish instructors but today I think there's only a handful left. All colleagues were very nice guys/gals, the odd ones with poor attitude did not last long. Unfortunately a seemingly nice instructor can turn into a tyrant inside the plane. Very nice facilities and good helpful maintenance department. Student services was run by a lovely woman. Think she's still there. Some old students came back as instructors, although it was not a given right. They still had to go through the interview process. Some went to CFA or AAA too.
Great place to fly in SoCal, lots of good memories and I do wonder why I left it sometimes. An afternoon trip to Catalina island or a weekend in Las Vegas (yes, we were allowed to do them and students paid the hotels). Happy hour at Moondoggies in PB, $2 a drink was something unheard of for a Swede. And I still cannot eat Mexican food coz it just doesn't taste the same anywhere else.