Advice Sought: IR ticket, 141 or 61?

[mhcasey]

So I can log the remaining 22 XC, under the hood, with another pilot sitting in the right seat (which I didn't want to do, but cash is king here) and then I can get the balance of the requirements with a CFII and complete all the required training criteria...

Really not sure with the taboo on this site with safety pilots. I flew a ton with safety pilots and never felt better flying instruments. I got a few lessons from one CFII, flew upwards of 75hrs with a safety pilot, and eventually went back and started my training with UFC. George was ready to sign me off for the checkride after our first lesson thinking that I had completed all of the requirements with another instructor. Really a beneficial practice IMO.