I'm stepping a bit late on my own thread - thank you VERY MUCH for all your opinions and insights (really confirming my initial opinion)!
I've gone for the quick route into the flight deck now, not doing a full time degree before that. It will be interesting to see whether the step from ATPL only to test flying can be made some day in the future - I'll certainly keep at it!
Regarding distance learning, what do you think would be a useful degree for TP'ing? Other than "classic" AeroEng, Embry Riddle University for exmaple offers some interesting courses... but these seem to be mostly management-oriented and I don't know if that would do any good.
Maybe I'll look into mining or forestry!
Thanks again
Holger