Dec 31, 2018, 5:37 pm
Last edit by: tcook052
This new annual thread has been carved out of the previous thread in an effort to reduce the number of megathreads on the AC forum. For those interested previous versions are the original 2004 - 2014 thread , 2015 edition, 2016 edition , 2017 edition and 2018 edition.
The original thread started by accident but quickly became a popular place to come and discuss off topic things such as hockey, new movies, or almost anything that wouldn't fit into existing AC forum threads. Air Canada or Aeroplan topics such as flight feedback, in-flight services issues, status or mileage earning/redemption are all topics that should go into existing AC forum threads so others can benefit from this information. Topics about hotels or airlines and/or their loyalty programs, destinations, in-flight travel tech. or anything best discussed elsewhere on FT may be relocated to that forum as this thread isn't meant to import travel topics to this forum that are better discussed on other forums. FT is an amazingly diverse and large community so members are encouraged to seek out all of its resources.
While the conversation is more relaxed as it would be in a lounge that doesn't mean however that the FT rules don't apply here as they definitely do so please refrain from controversial topics such as politics or religion, avoid profanities and treat other lounge patrons with the same respect you expect.
tcook052
Air Canada forum moderator
The original thread started by accident but quickly became a popular place to come and discuss off topic things such as hockey, new movies, or almost anything that wouldn't fit into existing AC forum threads. Air Canada or Aeroplan topics such as flight feedback, in-flight services issues, status or mileage earning/redemption are all topics that should go into existing AC forum threads so others can benefit from this information. Topics about hotels or airlines and/or their loyalty programs, destinations, in-flight travel tech. or anything best discussed elsewhere on FT may be relocated to that forum as this thread isn't meant to import travel topics to this forum that are better discussed on other forums. FT is an amazingly diverse and large community so members are encouraged to seek out all of its resources.
While the conversation is more relaxed as it would be in a lounge that doesn't mean however that the FT rules don't apply here as they definitely do so please refrain from controversial topics such as politics or religion, avoid profanities and treat other lounge patrons with the same respect you expect.
tcook052
Air Canada forum moderator
The Forum Lounge Thread (2019)
May 10, 2019, 7:51 am
#991
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: AC E50k, A3*G, UA*S, MR Titanium, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold, NEXUS
Posts: 3,669
I think that filing simple tax returns should be taught in high school, along with other financial literacy. I mistakenly mentioned this to a high school English teacher once and she was offended. She felt that analyzing poetry and literature taught all of the critical thinking skills that students should need and that they should be able to apply these analytical skills to any practical life situation without anyone spoon-feeding it to them...and she was serious!
May 10, 2019, 7:59 am
#992
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Prince Edward Island
Programs: Air Canada P25K, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, MGM Gold
Posts: 1,582
No, but people are scared of what they don't know. Taking a one hour class in grade 12 could help to demystify the process. On the other hand, it might make them think they know more than they do and lead to them missing deductions or credits (this is pretty common if the H&R Block commercials are to be believed).
May 10, 2019, 8:35 am
#993
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
May 10, 2019, 8:50 am
#994
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,451
Raps need a big blow-out home win in game 7 to avoid another post-season meltdown. This series should be over by now given how poorly some of the 76ers stars have played. If Raps had more bench scoring it might've ended earlier. We'll see but am busy on Sun. so may not get to watch the game.
May 10, 2019, 9:54 am
#995
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYC
Posts: 4,035
These days it certainly doesn't in Canada. The Auto Fill My Return feature is spectacular, and gets T3/4/5 + variants, T5008, RRSP slips and a few lesson common slips. For the average return of an employee, the only things not automatically completed are donation receipt, tuition receipts and student loan interest. The latter two I expect within 2 years, but donation receipts will be a bigger project and will likely take some time.
When I started 13 years ago, even simple T1s would probably have 45-60 minutes put in between the preparer, reviewer, partner, etc... Today, those are sub-10 minutes.
When I started 13 years ago, even simple T1s would probably have 45-60 minutes put in between the preparer, reviewer, partner, etc... Today, those are sub-10 minutes.
May 10, 2019, 10:33 am
#996
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE100K, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 2,132
I think that filing simple tax returns should be taught in high school, along with other financial literacy. I mistakenly mentioned this to a high school English teacher once and she was offended. She felt that analyzing poetry and literature taught all of the critical thinking skills that students should need and that they should be able to apply these analytical skills to any practical life situation without anyone spoon-feeding it to them...and she was serious!
One leaves secondary school and within a year has the ability to load up on student loans, credit cards, and car payments, and typically this is when they start doing their own taxes also.
Teach kids how/why to avoid the typical financial traps. Teach them basic tax law. Teach them how much the $5 coffee on their 20% Visa will actually cost them if they don't pay for it in the next few weeks...
Thankfully, I'm starting to hear about this at certain schools (my kids' included). I won't feel satisfied until it is government mandated curriculum.
May 10, 2019, 11:20 am
#997
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YHZ/YQM
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 1,618
My kids have had finance units in their Grade 10-12 Math classes. I haven't looked at what they actually cover though. It may be all about calculating interest payments with very little on practical applications. The sad thing is that many teachers that I know are rather bad with their own money.
May 10, 2019, 11:28 am
#998
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
Raps need a big blow-out home win in game 7 to avoid another post-season meltdown. This series should be over by now given how poorly some of the 76ers stars have played. If Raps had more bench scoring it might've ended earlier. We'll see but am busy on Sun. so may not get to watch the game.
May 10, 2019, 12:03 pm
#999
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,233
To be fair it was an elective, but not bad for little ole YXE.
May 10, 2019, 1:00 pm
#1000
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
Decided to re-learn Rhapsody Op. 79. No. 2 by Brahms. Wish me luck. 
May 10, 2019, 1:04 pm
#1001
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,233
Your ever expanding repertoire continues to amaze me. You seem to be working through my entire catalogue of classical vinyl.
One day we will find an aircraft that still has a piano bar and have the 'Recital Do'. At least until we drink too much.
One day we will find an aircraft that still has a piano bar and have the 'Recital Do'. At least until we drink too much.
May 10, 2019, 1:50 pm
#1002
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
I guess you can call me a "failed" concert pianist. 
There was a stretch of over 15 years in which I didn't touch a piano because I was turned off by it from all those harsh years of practice and torture.
But now having returned to it, I am playing out of joy. It also adds another pathway to catharsis, and keeps my brain fresh.
Perhaps I could do a recital DO one day, but really, you'd want to hear someone of the likes of jlisi84 over me.
May 10, 2019, 3:35 pm
#1003
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: AC E50k, A3*G, UA*S, MR Titanium, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold, NEXUS
Posts: 3,669
Just landed in YUL to a message that the friend I was meeting bailed. Boy I sure hope I can find something to do with a week in Montreal
May 10, 2019, 7:45 pm
#1004
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
Tepera sucks. Can't hold or barely holds.
May 11, 2019, 10:21 pm
#1005
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
I understand those cliffs where your net income drops, but I'm not talking about "poverty" levels where they're more common (at least in the US).
"Oh my tax rate will jump 4% if I get a raise from $135k to $140k. I don't want the raise!"
I've had colleagues at "big tech" in SF make statements like that. And these aren't dumb people. Which really makes me wonder why they think this way.
"Oh my tax rate will jump 4% if I get a raise from $135k to $140k. I don't want the raise!"
I've had colleagues at "big tech" in SF make statements like that. And these aren't dumb people. Which really makes me wonder why they think this way.
Meanwhile, I was going to check something but evidently I have to wait 11 hours: Due to scheduled maintenance, MyRogers will be unavailable from May 12 at 12:01am to 11:00am.
Of course, it's not down 11h every single day. So there's that. Though it hasn't worked right for ... 3 days.