MERT –
Thank you for your valid comments and of course your statement regarding full training on joining an airline is correct. However, my post referred solely to obtaining a US licence and B737 type rating none of which involved any company check rides or training at all. Upon completion of the FAA requirements, the company requirements would then follow, assuming I could get employment in the first place, which seemed extremely unlikely. In the end I could see no benefit to obtaining a US ATP without the possibilities of being able to work with it.