Is it true that only O-1s through O-4s are the only ones flying? Or do they run you up the pay scale? How long do they usually let you fly before they pull you out of the cockpit? I am considering Blue 21, but my age is right on the line. I have all my civil ratings except my ATP. How often do the run OCS? Is it possible they might just put me on the backburner until I am over the age? Thanks.
I'll give you my take which is for some reason different than hercdrivers.
You could, generally in theory, but sometimes in practice fly until some point as an O-6.
Here is how, you can go to air stations easily up to O-4 unless you request to go to a staff job. Then from there act as a duty standing O-5 if you really wanted to. However, at that point your career is over. Or you could apply for an OPS officer job as an O-4 or O-5 and you will still be flying. Then you become an Air station XO. Still flying. Then air station CO. Still flying. You don't fly as much as you get those jobs but you are still in the cockpit.
Or, you could get a staff job as an O-4. If you are really smart you find a staff job that requires you to maintain flight time. Again, not as much flying as a guy at an air station but you are still flying. Then you become an OPS boss and see above.
Or, you go to the training branch as a junior O-5 and try to become an XO or CO at an air station and then see above.
All of those are ways to fly up to and including O-6. I say in theory but all of those ways have been and are being done on a regular basis. Some paths are more preferred than others and some assure you promotion more than others but they can all be done.
One way that takes you out of the cockpit for a while is to suck up a 2-4 year non flying staff job then go back to an air station preferably with an OPS job and then see above.
Good luck.
