Shift work is how I managed to get it done (ATPL's, and CPL/IR/MCC) unpaid leave was also negotiated for the final part of the IR. It's not an easy route but some of us have no choice. It took me 2.5 years to get through what I thought would take me 18mts But it makes the reward of blasting off down the runway for a 4 sector day all the sweeter! Good luck and persistence definately pays off.