JOCs seem to me a means to rip off candidates. I have done two type ratings on swept wing jets and the lack of a JOC hasn't hurt me.
I would however advocate doing my MCC on a full motion sim for something reasonably large if you can. I did my MCC back in the day at European Skybus at Bournemouth, and they were very good indeed. They have now moved to Cardiff and are using one of the same sims. I would agree that the MCC is the most fun part of the fATPL as it is the least pressured and most practical.