I'm hoping to do my FAA PPL with EAA in April/May of next year and then start my hour building. When I think I am prepared to start the ATPL GS and have the finances to see me through to the CPL/ME-IR and either MCC or FI.
As far as I can see, as soon as I enroll on the ATPL GS course with BGS I'll have 18 months to complete all 14 exams. On completion I'll have 36 months to complete my CPL/ME-IR so I'd like to spend this period of time not worrying about how to pay for it or the job market.
As it stands at the moment I'll look to complete my CPL & FI before embarking on the expensive ME-IR.