RVR,
Si, compreno, however, my understanding is that the benefit of converting via JAR CPL is that you get a further 7 years (as opposed to 5, even if the ATPL was an option) and rolling at that to meet the requirements. The ATPL credits are transfered, and therefore NOT lost is my understanding.
I'm like yourself and also starting the IR next week. Where you doing it?
My CPL expires next year, so I need to choose whether to renew or get all fully JAR'd up before Dec 2002, by which time I should be all IR'd and MCC'd up, but still within the old 5 year ATPL limit that will run out in Mar 2006.
PS