Thanks for the insight it is much appreciated.
as for Just Take the Exams .....
26 years and about 15000 hours after writing my first ATPL, I've since written and passed the Australian ATPL the FAA ATPL and the Chinese ATPL for which in each I had to write one or two exams at most.
The EASA exam isn't an easy 1 or 2 exam process... as you know it gives zero credit for industry experience and transferable credit.
Now I would understand if it were considered a superior license but its really not.
The process is designed for new flight students enrolled in college not guys who are trying to feed the family continue to work and wish to obtain the license based on realistic expectations.
cheers