I didn't know the implemented level cap in last TLA update when they removed permadeath, that kinda sucks, just feebly copying 2238...
Anyway I don't believe in a rule that combining two good things you get a good thing too. I think it is wrong to combine so different types of characters on one server.
Every time you would be standing against enemy you would be thinking about what type of character he is, which even more sucks out of the atmosphere and being-in-the-game feeling...
Yeah you are right, I made a mistake in calculating the exp, now I really calculated it. Considering one of your teammates lvled a new char to lvl 21 in about 5 hours, I think it is perfectly possible in 2 weeks, playing 12 hours a day to get lvl 84. Even if it's not 200, it is A LOT.
If the formula for lvling when you reach lvl 21 was changed that the next lvl exp was previousLevelExp*1.5 not previousLevelExp+previousExpIncrement+1000 as it is now, it would be kind more like the function I described in some previous post. The lvl cap would be removed and no one would have permadeath. Even such lvling machine as TheBob would not get such big advantage over other players

Everyone would have a reason to keep playing their main character, because he would still get the HP bonus, even the perks. There would be no duality of chars to think about... ideal world IMHO...

You can see the calculations I made here, including the system I propose
here, please check it out