Hughey
That is not quite accurate. The ATPL theory requires only 6 months of study in the UK (though I believe Spanish schools run 12-month courses). The CPL groundschool could I am sure be completed in 4 months and then work as an instructor could be paid but little else. An IR would require some study, so no time is saved and there are more eams for the CPL plus separate IR than for the ATPL. Of course anyone sitting hte CPL and IR eams would then require the ATPL course to be issued an ATPL. I was advised employers in airline also much prefer ATPL exam passes even for FOs.