Pre-Flop thought

I would have just flat called ak - i like to play it cheap - if it hits I will probably make on it but otherwise it is cheap. Having made the bet and been raised its all in NOW or FOLD. The likelihood of improving your hand by flat calling doesnt make it worth investing a lot of chips for what might improve his hand more. If he has qq then any flop with AK and you dont make much but without and you have lost. If he holds AX then he has an easy fold if he doesnt hit. In short you are better off all in or folding. This would depend on reads and info etc. Poker tracker would help here. Ultimately you want to secure 3rd rather than take on the chip leader in terms of strategy so fold to me is what i would do IF i didnt have useful reads. Calling is viable - it all depends whether he would do what he has done on Aq or AJ if not then FOLD FOLD FOLD.

I would not hesitate to go all-in pre flop with big slick.

I have done so many times. Most of the time I will get one caller at the most; I like my chances.

Then again, I've been known to play loose.

But do you do it in the situation he is talking about, or at anytime during the tourney?

^
I will do it anytime. So far it has worked well for me.