I am going to be finishing off my ATPLs distance learning after making a start on an integrated course. Plan to study as I did before - full time 6 - 7 days per week. Parents are being really cool by allowing me to stay at theirs rent-free whilst I do this.
ATPLs are a bloody big ordeal. What has been said above is totally true. Quantity not quality in the sense that you have to know how everything works but not in too greater detail. Minimum hours stipulated are exactly that - minimum. Plan for more.
Good luck all those tackling ATPLs. I'm off to Florida for a coupla months then I am back into it! Argh!! Where did I put my noose....
VFE.