Hey
Just my take on the whole thing.. Since I allready did it.
I would do the procourse at ABA.. And while instructing study the ATPLs..
Some instructors have done this. Also now ABA pay their instructors $35k a year.
Also if you study what is required on the procourse, you will have a head start on most of the ATPL subjects. (Mostly POF, Perf, Met, Flight planning, Nav and Radio Nav.. I think..
Then after 2 years (J-1 expire), you convert your FAA to JAA at EFT.
My MEP and CPL conversions were about $3k INCL fees and 170A. (Amazing how much simpler a MEP check ride is when you have 600 hours dual given on a twin..:-))
You can then convert your IR anywhere in Europe you want.. Almost everyone who has just done 500 hours of ME-IR instruction, wont find this to hard..