The 18-month clock: has anyone here actually lost all their ATPL theory passes because of it?

For anyone new to ATPL theory: you must pass all your exams within 18 months, counted from the end of the calendar month of your first sitting.

If you miss that deadline, all the subjects you have already passed become invalid, and you have to start again from zero.

I’ve heard plenty of second-hand stories about this happening — usually “someone at my ATO” — but rarely from anyone who has experienced it personally.

So, has anyone here actually run out of time?

• What caused it: illness, work, ATO scheduling, or simply underestimating how quickly the time would pass?
• Did anyone have a genuine near miss, such as passing their final subject in month 17 or 18?
• Did you try to request an extension from your aviation authority, perhaps for medical reasons? If so, what happened?
• If you completed your theory modularly while working full-time, how did you plan your sittings?

I often see students book their first sitting just to “try one subject” without realizing that they are starting a countdown that cannot be paused.

It would be useful to hear some real experiences — and hopefully help others avoid the same situation.