You CAN get an ATPL without an airline career.
And you don't need an ATPL to fly commercially.
to al_renko:
What do you want to do?
If you want to only fly privately, then you don't even need a CPL.
If you want to be a flight instructor, you don't need a CPL, in some certain cases, but generally you will need one.
To fly charter or business, you'll need a CPL.
Why does your age "prohibit this"? are you over 65?
Have you passed your class 1 medical?
So, what are you looking to pursue?