perpetual,
i've been at pan am since last july and i'm currently working on my initial CFI. things have changed quite a bit since july. when i started there were about 80 people; now there is about 180 and the school seems to be having some troulbe keeping up with the growth.
make sure you read and understand your contract before you sign on here. the management has "screwed" many people here by making unexpected changes. i know of at least 10 people who have left recently due to these types of problems.
i don't want to be to specific here mainly because i don't want to scare people away from pan am. just make sure you understand that pan am's goal is to make money and then train pilots. they will do (as they currently are) some things that don't make much sense and may even degrade your training.
to answer your other question i did sign up for the pilot career course and i do regret it.
i could go on and on, but at this point i don't think anyone would benefit.
good luck oder viel gleuck!
buckman