Quite interesting comments you made BillieBob.
I was always under the impression that for a type rating you needed a MEP, however you only need a valid IR ME.
Could you hold a valid IR ME if you do not hold a ME class rating ?
Which is valid for one year and can be renewed easily in a simulator.
Would you be able to revalidate it the second year in a MEP if you did not hold a valid MEP(land) class rating.