I took my ATP checkride the same way too, long long time ago (I think Ford was President) at the tender age of 21. I think the FAA was a bit more relaxed and accomodating back then, seemed like there were a lot more "good ole boys", willing to go out of their way to help pilots out. I even sprung the request for my ATP ride on the FAA Examiner doing my 135 check at the last minute. He merely asked to see my written results (I had brought them with me) and said no problem. Sometimes I really miss the FAA of the 60's and 70's!