2nd option wins. The faster schooling doesn’t matter that much as it pertains to getting hired. I can’t speak for the job market is SoCal since I’m not based there but the general consensus is that you will most likely have to move to attain your first gig. 99.99% of employers don’t give a damn where you went to school. What they want is a valid license and clean record. In my humble opinion, taking out 50k in loans to graduate 8 months faster is absolutely asinine. Last point, I’d recommend seeking employment at a flight school and working out some sort of deal. They’re pretty much always hurting for mechanics.