Do your ATPL subjects and get them out of the way. I have worked with heaps of people that have tried doing the exams after they are already employed up north. Potential pitfalls that repeat themselves over and over again are:
· Not having enough time to study while you are working full time which generally leads to failing one or more of the exams
· Not being able to get annual leave to do the exams (who wants to spend their entire holidays studying aeroplanes anyway?)
· Having to leave a job in order to do the exams (see above) and subsequently being in the unemployment que until you can jag a new job (you’ve also lost all your recency for when you have to do a check flight, and it’s usually easier to get a new job when you are currently employed IMHO)
· Having to travel interstate to do a course unless you try and self study
· Being overlooked for promotion onto larger aircraft in your current job