MCL - Is it Mickey Mouse?

[Cobalt]

Antonio,

You are right in pointing out that the MPL is only a co-pilot licence.

So is the CPL/IR/MCC/Typerating you have after the "classic" route.

After meeting some minimum hours and an additional check,both will be an ATPL, which allows you to be PIC. (assuming you do ATPL theory). So no dead end either way. Actually getting the fourth stripe will come considerable time later than the ATPL in any case.

You can think of the MPL as a CPL/IR/MCC/Typerating integrated course, minus the SEP/MEP class ratings, minus the Single-Pilot IR, which you don't need anyway.

The only real drawback I can see for an airline wannabe is that if you don't get that co-pilot job straight away, you don't have the option to "park" yourself doing an instructor rating or flying lighter aircraft for money while waiting for the next job - so your value will decrease rapidly.

Which of the two paths produces better airline pilots only time will tell.