Two of the approved programs are 4 year degree programs at Embry Riddle. They cost a whole lot more than 5K. The one stand alone program is run by Sporty's, the same folks that send you a catalog every few months. The people saying it would cost 15K-20K didn't have a clue. Figure an instructor is getting 200 a day for the classroom so 800. Bump it up some for the sim day and call it 1500 for the week. I'll bet the sim, an old DC-9, is costing them $500 an hour. So 6500 to run the class. Two students will pay 9K, so you have 2500 to pay the light bill for the room and profit.

61.165(c) lays out adding a ME to an ATP under the new rules. There's no just pass a checkride to do the add on anymore.