Reality: No ATPL (H) = No constructive career beyond the CPL (H) unless you want to and are happy to stick with single engine, instructional or charter type jobs. There is nothing wrong with this career path and many excellent pilots are more than happy to be in this area, but if you want to progress to the next level .....................
And the next level being?
The reality is that with a CPL(H), you can do everything that a holder of an ATPL(H) can do, with the exception of being in command of a multi-crew helicopter. Oh, and feeling smug and condescending. You can also, contrary to your belief, fly multi-engined helicopters.
'Where I am we regularly recieve CV's from experienced military and civil pilots with 2000 - 3000 hours experience but we cannot look at them because they only have a CPL and we require an ATPL and IR. There is nothing personal in this, but for insurance and client requirements we need pilots with the ATPL and IR.'
ATPL and IR?
You have to have an IR in order to obtain an ATPL. Although this wasn't always the case, it has been for quite a while.
'So instead of moaning about the relevance of the licence, there needs to be a realisation that the ATPL is what the industry demands and if someone wants a job it is what they need.'
But you need the job in order to obtain the ATPL! Or do you mean that you need the ATPL theory and CPL IR? Often, erroneously, referred to as a 'frozen ATPL'.
So, the industry demands ex offshore pilots only? Because that's where the majority of ATPL holders are.
In the words of Victor Meldrew, I don't believe it!