And despite Chasen’s bitterness about it, the simple fact is he aged out because he forgot to apply the last year he was eligible.
That is 100% false. Prior to the last app period, I got a message on USAjobs that the pool (which I was in), was extended, and all taking the test would do was to give me a chance to get a better score. Which is why I didn't take it very seriously as I had a good feeling I killed that ish. But I didn't "Forget to apply". I procrastinated since I didn't even know if I was going to actually re-take it anyway given the fact I was in the pool already and unlikely to do much better, and the app closed prior to the posted date I had read online. But again, I was in the pool regardless. As far as how I "aged out", I didn't. What happened is they moved the goal post in 2021 because they said people born before 02AUG90 would not get into OKC, certify, etc in time to complete at least 15 years with the FAA due to the COVID backlog on top of the pre-COVID backlog which already had me sitting in the pool for years. I had a phonecall with OKC about it, on my birthday because that's the day they decided to do this of all days. At the time that this happened, I had exactly 1 year left for an OKC class invite before I aged out.
I have no idea how you came to the conclusion that taking the test a 4th time would have prevented the above. What are you even talking about? But yeah, I'm bitter af, always will be. Literally, nothing changed between my first app or the last app other than the BQ itself going away. PPL, Ramp Tower, various airlines experience. Checked those same boxes on every single app, my ratings, work history, and education did not change. And magically, no BQ meant my experience suddenly qualified me every year thereafter to take the AT-SAT. But sure, it wasn't the BQ, and getting a FOURTH WQ score in 4 years would have made sure I never had that phonecall. Whatever, man.