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[glowdart]

OP, I agree with the others that you're putting the cart before the horse (or some similar maxim), but I also wholly understand your desire to not end up in a snakepit or with a terrible advisor.  Apply based on funding schemes, reputation of advisors, presence of people working in your fields, program placement rates, program reputation, etc.

But then decide upon programs based on some of your concerns.  Consider:

Is there competition for funding?
Is there competition for teaching slots?

For me, answers of "no and no" were two requirements, but then I was paying my way through grad school and needed assured funding.  But, this lack of competition for basic survival in the department enabled us to have a good strong cohort for much of the time that I was there because the other grad students were good people.  You can't know that until you get there.  But if you're in an environment that is set up to be a pit, then... frankly... life's too short.  

Your advisor is another story -- you need someone you can work with, yes, but sometimes the hardasses are better than the softies.  And people who seem pleasant at meetings can be complete flakes and/or total nutjobs about letting you graduate.  As systeme_d notes, talk to their advisees once admitted; keep in mind that your research may change (depending on discipline), so you might not end up with that particular advisor anyway. This is why total program atmosphere is important.  

Make sure to talk to the other current grad students after you are admitted, too.  Ask about atmosphere & funding support.  Go visit if you can afford it.  Trust your gut -- but after you get accepted.

[messiaen]

I understand all of your recommendations and the  new way that I should go about searching programs. I just do not want to get stuck with an advisor from hell and six years of pain working with him/her.

The advisor question (apart from the other issues you raised) is finally about your fit with this person.  You'll find students who had hellish experiences, for whatever reason, with the best mentors in the business.