I wonder if the problem is the certificate level he's asking for?
You can go straight to an ATP if you hold a CPL/IR, FAA or Foreign, and a type rating course can count as an ATP check. The problem is that as well as the ATP requirements you also need an ATP/CTP - kind of like an MCC - and there are no exemptions for experience.
If you just want to get the type rating at commercial level, then there are extra visual maneuvers required - chandelles, lazy 8s etc, and I don't think you can do those concurrently with the type ride, hence you'd have to take the commercial ride in a light twin.
I'd say going straight for the ATP is the easier option if possible as it's only one test.