My $.02,
Please take what I say with a grain of salt as I am quite biased. I just graduated standz class today and am awaiting my first student. That being said, I am a big fan of DCA and could not be more pleased with my decision to attend.
If you already have the commercial/inst. stuff done, this is the perfect time for you to attend DCA. You have saved some money getting those ratings somewhere else probably. I don't think DCA has ever claimed to be the cheapest way to train. It isn't. As a matter of fact, it probably ranks right up there with some of the most expensive. That being said, I think the quality of training you get here, and more importantly the opportunities it affords those that complete the program are worth paying a premium. (No flames please, I understand that there are lots of places that offer EXCELLENT training as well) I know that after instructing for 800 hours I will be interviewing with a regional. Comair, Chataqua, hopefully others soon. That interview is guaranteed. I don't think anyone else guarantees that without getting into PFT. I could be wrong...
At last night's monthly saftey meeting, they announced 8 or so names of people that are, or will be in the next couple weeks, released from the academy so they can go interview. Tons of guys are getting hired right now. Chataqua in particular is picking up lots of folks.
To put some real numbers to it, My private instructor here at DCA has three weeks left of training at Comair and then he hits the flightline. My instrument instructor just started his training at chataqua a couple weeks ago. My commercial instructor was also my private instructor so he's already taken care of. My multi instructor didn't get hired. (it happens) My CFI instructor just got his letter from Comair and is awaitng a class date. My CFII instructor was one of those released last night and has to decide where he wants to interview. Not bad stats.
The pros: Quality training (both flight and ground), professional atmosphere, guaranteed interview, self governing authority for a number of rating so you are't risking a pink ticket, awesome maintenance staff, Delta flight priveleges while you are employed. There are more, but to me, those are the main ones.
The cons: Cost, living anywhere in florida (this involves heat, humidity, bugs, swamps, alligators, crazy old drivers etc.) following some pretty strict academy rules (I could list that in the pro's too I think), maintenace delays, weather delays, moving away from wife/home/friends, 6:30 am flights, 10:00 pm simulators. Stagechecks, Checkrides, Stress in Standz class.... the list goes on but you get the idea.
After reading this I think I sound a little like one of the admissions officers trying to sell the program, but to a certain extent I am. Its a great school and I would highly encourage anyone interested in a high stress, low paying job to come and take a look. Tracy was my admissions officer and I don't think he was blowing any sunshine up my ass. He told me how it was and he was 99% right. Call him up and ask him the hard questions, he'll give you the straight information.
Sorry for the ramble, this is the first time in the 10 days since standz class that I have had to post on here and it all just tumbled out.
I'll leave you with a note that one of my fellow standz class graduates has been keeping in his wallet since he started school and I thougt it was the coolest thing I'd read in a while. It was some type of speech his buddy made to some group or another:
"You are getting ready to live a f*&%ing dream man. It's gonna be hard, and it'll suck at least as often as it's fun. You're gonna be broke, starved and maybe even in need of a good shower from time to time but it does get better. Regardless of the final outcome, when it's all said and done you'll be able to look in the mirror and be incredibly grateful that you took the chance.
I've had bank presidents see some freighter take off and say to me in no uncertain terms that "they'd give it all up"...just to be able to do that."
Hope this rambling mess helped. Fly safe.