a few questions.

URMAKER

i'm in beta got to level 16 on my pug. tonight.  when i got the airship pass and made my way to the other cities i joined the lancer guild. now in beta there was an auto leveler(didnt use)i'm guessing thats just for beta. which means come release the strategy would be to unlock 2nd combat class and then pick up all the available quests in the area(there was alot since it was my 1st time there) and pretty much level it like i did my 1st combat class? 

so when is a good time to start leveling that 2nd combat class? what happens to my pug. levels do they increase or just stay at whatever level they were when i switch to lancer? just trying to find out what rate i should level my pug. compared to the 2nd class(lancer)...goal is monk.

gathering profession....i want them all. i picked up botanist and it gives a buff to spot resources on the map until i equipped a combat weapon then it went away. so does this mean no gathering while i'm out doing quest/fighting mobs? i'm either in combat mode or gathering mode? 

Raphiel75

pretty much the classes saves its levels when you switch to different classes. The main interest of lvling multiple classes is because many skills can be used by other classes( i.e. using cure on your pug or lancer or marauder's defense buff on lancer). As your level increases, more abilities and spells become more accessible by your other classes. You can level another class when ever you want. I suggest passing Ifrit fight to gain access to a grand company is your first objective to get your chocobo, trust me they help in battle and traveling very nicely (you can use your choco on a lvl 1 class fyi)

Gathering is a seperate class from disciples of war and magic, so the only way to harvest as botanist is to equip your hatchet and start harvesting. There is a gear switch list you can use that saves your equipment builds to allow instance access to your classes, with a push of a button instantly changing from gatherer to fighter.

As for leveling a 2nd class, do the start quests in the new areas and you should have access to guildleves for more exp. Once you hit lvl 10 you can do Guildheists(group oriented leves)  for even more exp as well as the hunting log for each class. Fates as well offer abit of exp on the side.