ATP AMEL from COMM ASEL
 

Hoping for a little clarification:

I currently hold COMM ASEL w/ Instrument, can I go directly to ATP AMEL or do I need to get the COMM AMEL first? If yes, what drawbacks are there to this? Thanks for your time and responses.

You're good as long as you meet the hour req's and take the written.

61.151 and 61.159 are the regs if you want to look it up.

Actually, it's 61.153.
§ 61.153 Eligibility requirements: General.

To be eligible for an airline transport pilot certificate, a person must:
(a) Be at least 23 years of age;
(b) Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. ...(c) Be of good moral character;
(d) Meet at least one of the following requirements:
(1) Holds a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating issued under this part;

The COMM AMEL checkride is mostly VFR (meaning visual) while the entire ATP AMEL checkride is IFR (read as under the hood) and long. The flight portion of my ATP checkride was almost 2 hours with maybe 0.2 without the hood on. Make sure your instrument skills are sharp before you start prepping for the ATP checkride. You will also need to know your aircraft systems very thoroughly for the ATP checkride.

My ATP was about 2 hours as well with about (.5 ) visual and the rest simulated Instrument. I agree with Gajre539, know the systems in and out, be Instrument proficient...