I don't have any ATPL's but i supose you are in studie mood why not keep going??
as for
""Others say it can in fact harm your chances of scoring a half decent gig because the employers think that you are just an airline wannabe tosser that wants to use them for some quick command time""
I think that GA operators know that at some stage you will move on into bigger and shinyer things. They do want your full comitment for the time being which is fair enough as you are employed by them. Respect comes from both ways. they are prepared to give you a start. you give them time and commitment.
Nothing enoyes an GA employer more however if all you can talk about is airlines and the "I can't wait to get into twins" and than "i am a twin pilot i don't want to fly singles anymore" from my experience anyway.
Some employers see it that you are going to airlines and do there best to prep you for it as much as they can. like doing your paperwork very nice and tidy. filling in incident reports etc.
at least thats how it was were i worked.
all the best
