>However, why has the managing editor told me on more than one occasion that the role of CE is more of a symbolic role?

I think only the Managing Editor can answer you this question. I certainly can't.

>i.e., you guys don't edit anything.

That's what I said, isn't it? Contributing Editors working together on a column edit each others text and verify the technical correctness. Contributing Editors writing an article should asure technical correctness, and what happens after that is out of my area of knowledge. A Technical Editor is supposed to review an article for technical accuracy. But as the current issue in work is the first one that is handled this way, I can't offer you any practical experience.

Christof