Now that is odd....14 exams and all that and still no Instrument Rating on an ATPL? Sounds like the "Old" way of doing a VFR ATP in the old days back when Bell 47's and Hiller 12E's were in vogue for commerical work.
Gomer P...I have done the full ATPL and IF rating and yet am to understand some of the things that go on over there. I could never grasp the concept of flying IMC without having an Instrument Rating. Just as I fail to understand airports being closed after dark merely because the Control Tower is closed down.
We shall not digress to asking why every ATC unit along your flight planned path has to have the full details of your trip vice that information they need to clear you through their area. But what the heck...when in Rome I guess.
One other small difference is the lack of Flight Service Stations.
Ah...but surely the CAA now JAA knows best.