And good luck with that in your 401k and IRA. But then I bet that your parent has something to sell to me.

The problem we all face as we age is that we can not participate effectively in the bond market at the individual level. Nor can can we buy an annuity without financing some insurance agent's new 911.

When I was in my 20s, 30s and 40s I spewed this same line. On my previous airlines forum on CompuServe (I am that old) I refereed to defined benefit plans as things that crawled out of the Wall Street sewer.

The reality is that we have been sold a bill of goods that is deeply flawed. Having "our own money" makes us prey to longevity risk, while at the same time making us prey to any number of scams that claim to address it. Want to buy bonds? Nibble at the crumbs from the grown up's table and pay 1% for the privilege, but don't worry because the markup is hidden and you won't see it. Want to buy an annuity on your own? No problem -- after we give slimeball his 4%.

Reality is that retirement is a set of tactics, starting with having your basic living cost annuitized (SS and something you buy or that is company benefit). Then using the rest for discretionary expenses and inflation.

Good luck with the annuitizaiton element. At least your parents's cut might end up in your inheritance.

Also swimming in the pool...thank the lawd for arm floaties...

If you can read thousands of pages of bland garbage and memorize it for your job then you can do it for your retirement.... Or you can give it to someone else who will steal from you. Your choice... I'll take my chances managing it myself.

I apologize for the tone of my post 9940. That was out of line.

With the exception of US Treasuries, the fixed income element is fraught with fees, hidden costs and inefficiency for the individual investor.My frustration in this area grows with each adjustment in my asset allocation.

Lol. Swimming too!!

Good day gents, any chance folks could post the Times of recent interviewees/poolies? I'm just trying to get an idea of the current competitive quals. I'm fairly "low time" at over 3k but know a fellow or two that was able to snag the interview with those times albeit about 2yrs ago. Thanks.

-2263

Hey flyboy thanks for the reply.
I took the assessment test on November 19th and still waiting for an invite to interview. Obviously I was hoping to hear something by now. I'm just trying to be patient.

How long after you received the email did you take the test?

I feel your pain man, been waiting since Sept. Hopefully the calls will come soon! Was on a trip and took the test 2 days later.

Gentlemen,

It may be appropriate to write a polite email if you have been waiting for a call (after you took the technical evaluation test) for the face-to-face interview.

However, the interviews, and really the entire process takes a back seat to the very busy peak-season flying that Atlas 747s do. Please be patient and we have it on good authority that the entire process will resume with fervor when the baby new year is very young.

Good luck.