I went to HPA and got the ATP at the same time as the 73 type rating. My checkride was in no way different from any of my classmates and it was done in a sim which certainly takes a bit of the uncertainty out of it, I felt.

It is definitely worth it if you think you want the type for SWA targeting. There is no additional cost so you can look at it as saving $2500 or wasting $5000. But it is certainly one way to do it.