Just to clear up a few things on TR's post,
1. Getting hired at DCA is easy. Show up for student lessons on time and you are in.
2. DCA pays $10/hr flight or ground.
3. Only reason you are "obligated" is if you want the CRJ course for free. BTW, it is 800 hrs. in the airplane. Sims and such do not count.
4. DCA reimbursed me for my CFII (2003), but I don't think they do that anymore. Maybe buffetck can give more recent info on that one.
5. You will not get any multi time until you are close to finishing your 800 hrs. That is unless you can kiss alot of mgmt. a$$.
6. DCA connections seem to be purely airline.
7. DCA has no benifits for instructors except flight benefits. As far as the flight benefits, they are nice, but they are not all they are cracked up to be. First, you will not have any time to use them. Second, you will not be able to afford to use them. I took 3 trips on them in a year and half and two of those were for family emergencies.
8. In no way shape or form does DCA instructor seniority carry over to any DCI carrier or any others.
Now that we have that out of the way, I have no experience with FSI and too much with DCA. I believe both schools are overpriced, BUT if you decide that you are okay with being in debt forever, both schools should be fine. Just realize BEFORE you go in to this, both are selling an end product (professional pilot). They are very good at selling this. They are very good at delivering this. Just be prepared for alot of surprises along the way. Don't know about FSI, but you will be hosed as an employee at DCA. Take notice that all of the people on here who post about DCA are either former or current instructors. I won't speak for the rest of them, but as an employee, I was treated so poorly that I almost gave up flying. My student experience at DCA was great, and it should have been for the amount of money that I spent. My time as an employee left alot to be desired. Here is my total experience at DCA, take it for what it's worth.
Private-CFII (April 2003-December 2003)
Spent $57,000 (includes $5,000 reimbursement)
Living expenses (April 2003-June 2004)
Spent $20,000
Instructor (June 2004-August 2005)
Made $7,000
Flew 400 hrs
Worked 80 hrs/week avg. (most not paid)
In summary, I would have gone to my local FBO instead. The pilot factory isn't getting me into a jet any quicker. Three years and counting since I fell for their scam. I can't get on with a decent airline even with DCA on my resume. Good luck.