I agree, especially in today's market. You need every qual you can get.

I got my ATP from John Trask up in Presque Isle, Maine. Check out the Presque Isle airport website for his number. He was recommended to me by a friend, who got his name recommended by a friend etc... I did my written at All ATPs in Raleigh on day 1, flew up to Maine on day 2, checkride and oral on day three and back home in NC by 2100 same day. Still saved about $100-300 I figure even with the air fare and it was alot more fun. Mr Trask flew B-52s for the Air Force back during the cold war and knows the military avaition world and what we do. Some civilian FAA check guy who you have to pay cash to after going through an All ATP prep course all weekend will not necessarily give you that benefit of the doubt. I admit he may be awesome and be really great but he may even hold it against you if he was not military...some guys are funny about that especially if they got rejected from the military or washed out. Why take a chance...