CC747
sorry, mate, I obviously misread your post. I copied the regional experience, but assumed you were looking to make yourself more employable. In fact, my last point was that pilots with significant commercial experience (and I would include regionals in that) may, in certain circumstances, benefit from speculative ratings.
Anyway, I wish you the best of luck. Actually, I didn't answer your last question: no, it's not as difficult as the ATPL. I'm enjoying the 'Bus after many years in Yank metal - I'm sure you will too.