AF
I was an instructor at American Flyers - DPA for a little over two years. I just left this past October, so this info should be fairly current. IMHO, I think the American Flyers CFI/II prep is among the best i've seen. But like the previous poster said, you MUST be instrument and commercial profficient in order to finish in the time and money alloted. It is absolutely possible to get signed off in the 30 days they advertise (not bad for the price they charge). It might take you another week to actually take the ride because DE's are very busy and backed up. So plan accordingly if you are taking off work. The students that seem to do fine are the ones that just recently finished their instrument and commercial ratings. The ones that drown are the ones that haven't flow in several months or even years, or it has been a while since they have recieved their inst. and comm. tickets, or who aren't dedicated students. Not to say that you can't do it if you got your comm. a few years ago, just study up and fly maneuvers and approaches before you start the Academy. Be aware that you will be exected to do A LOT of studying on your own and be prepared to show up at 8am and stay until at least 5-6pm for most days M-F. The group concept works very well, and you are encouraged to use each other as much as possible. I personally know each of the instructors that teach the CFI/II Academy at DPA, and they are very good at their job and will get you done. Keep in mind, this is by far the most challenging certificate you will ever get, so do not expect any handouts. All in all I think they have a very good program. There is alot of self study, only about 10 hrs a/c, long days, and it is very intense. On the other hand you get excellent instruction and all the free sim time in a Frasca 141 you can cram in. Yes, the school managers would make excellent careers as used car salesmen, but don't let them get in the way of the reason you are there. Be nice to them and "play the game". IF you have any problems I would recommend talking to the Chief Pilot first and see if there is anything she can do to help.
I really wouldn't recommend AF to get your ME or MEI. They do offer it but it is VERY expensive and there are only like two schools, out of 16, that have twins. Flyers really caters towards the business person that can afford the higher prices. If price is your number one concern, look somewhere else for your PVT, INST, or COMM licenses and ratings. The Instructor Academy is one of their only reasonably priced programs.
I think American Flyers is a good place to instruct at. Like all companies, their are some complaints. But as long as you can deal with a little BS and some politics, you should be alright. When I left DPA it was just starting to get better. It is a good place to build total time in various types of aircraft. I got my high performance and high altitude signoffs for free from them. Their planes aren't the best out there but they are better than alot of the other smaller schools i've seen. Plus they just bought 10 brand new Skyhawks. Additionally, lots of customers use their own planes. Most of the ones I flew were nice complex and high performance singles such as a Saratoga, Commander 115TC, and Bonanza. Pay is pretty good, considering you are an instructor. As a full timer, $2000-2200/mo during the summer and $1500-1700/mo take home during the winter wasn't uncommon. Flyers tries to hire most of its employees straight out of the Academy. Wear a tie and act professional. At DPA, they start looking for prospective instructors on the first day of the Academy! If they don't have a spot for you at the school you attended, they will try to see if there is another school that needs instructors. Once you are hired at a school, they don't ship you off to another school unless you agree. There is however the opportunity to sub at other schools while you are there. I spent two weeks subbing in New Jersey... ALL expenses paid! There is also the opportunity to go on true XC flights for aircraft reposition flights. I've been from Chicago to San Diego, Ft. Worth, Atlanta, and KC. Again ALL expenses paid. Makes for a nice company paid vacation! Benifits aren't the best, but at least they have some. They pay for part of your personal health insurance, offer a 401k, and a weeks paid vacation all after a year of full time employment. Flyers is a good place to build total time, but don't expect much multi time unless you have your MEI and are at one of those two schools with the twins. Another good thing about Flyers is that you don't have to worry about finding your own students like you would as a freelance instructor.
All this was based on my experience while at American Flyers - DPA. Other instructors may have had different experiences at different schools. Be sure to look into ALL options for training before commiting yourself to any one school or FBO. I'm sure there are lots of other good schools or FBOs that other users can tell you about.
I know this was long, but I hoped I answered some of your questions. If you have any more questions about American Flyers or the one at DPA specifically, PM me (or antney, he was also an instructor at DPA Flyers that would be willing to help. might have a different perspective) and i'll do my best to answer your questions. Oh and in case your wondering, I got most of my ratings at a University (can you guess which one?), not American Flyers.
Good luck!