I don’t understand all the criticism from government bow wows. GM execs are acting just they do.
Truth be told, these CEOs can't trust the commercial aviation industry to get them there on time or at a specific time. And their time is money.
What they will do is purchase the services of NetJets or the like.
Don't fall for the class warfare stuff.
I would think the government would want to set an example. Pelosi and others you need to return your private jets. Maybe you can walk or hire a Yugo.
How many jets do they lease any way. What’s wrong with commercial travel! Does Gm not have computers???
“There is a perception issue,”
LOLOL!!! Ya think...????
Kinda like “wardrobe malfunction”!
“...flying on a private jet to ask for public funds and failing to make personal sacrifices in exchange for federal assistance....” - They simply forgot just how costly this was so they apologized...all is well.
It is certainly arguable whether Mr Wagoner is worth the $3.36 million he is paid each year (http://finance.yahoo.com/q/pr?s=GM ) or whether GM should be asking for or getting a bailout. However, IF he is going to do these things as GM’s CEO and ask for a bailout, he should do it in a cost effective manner. For someone at his pay level, it probably makes no more sense for him to waste time waiting to board a commercial flt (and presumably get less done on the flt) than it does for him to sweep the floor of his office and empty his own trash.
The irony (jealousy?) here is that Nancy Pelosi demanded her own corporate jet, a 767, from the Air Force just last year.
So .. now 4 pilots and a number of machinics are out of a job...
Let the layoffs begin....but not for the UAW
Thats what this whole private plane issue is designed to do.
Congressional leaders delayed the $25 billion (which will ultimately come) and required the Detroit3 CEO's return to Washington in a couple of weeks so that there will be video of these three formerly powerful CEO's arriving back in Washington on commercial aircraft, thus castrating them. Two reasons: 1) Because these Congressional leaders can, and they love it screwing over other people. 2) To teach other industries not to come asking for money, unless they are carrying their testicles in their outstretched hand.
I suggest that the three CEO's, instead of using "commercial air" travel together to D.C. in a Tahoe Two-Mode Hybrid, with the "Captain's Seat" configuration (with a table between them). The Tahoe Hybrid was "Green Car Journal's" "Green Car of the Year" last year. It's about a 9 hour drive. They "could get a lot of business done, and turn a "castrating" experience into a show of D3's green technology.
“There is a perception issue,” Wilkinson said of Wagoner’s travel to Washington on a private jet. “We need to be very sensitive to that going forward.”
Or in plain language, he doesn’t see a problem with it, but he’ll play the game (for now) to get what he wants.
Actually, there is a kernel of truth in that statement. Most CEO’s travel with a team. So, the math shown on tv, being about $900 for 1st class commercial vs $20,000 for a corporate jet to fly from Detroit>DC>Detroit, is somewhat exaggerated. Also, there are security issues as these are high profile people. Then, perhaps not in the case of these idiots, but there is a time value for these people, assuming that they are competent of course. Buuut, let's not let our self rightous congress of the hook so easily as many of these people fly on government owned versions of corporate jets. And then, how could we forget everyone’s sweetheart, Nancy Pelosi and her personal government owned Boeing 757 which is estimated to cost about $20,000 “per hour” to operate. Now, that's a bit excessive seems to me...
Leased jets. Who do these people think they are, Congress or something?!
Wow! Problem solved! These jets add a cost of a penny per car while UAW health and pension costs add $1500 per vehicle. Now that the jets are gone, GM is back in black. Yea! /drippingsarcasmwithheavydisgust
GM needs to declare bankruptcy, kill a division, reduce models, close dealerships, layoff excess staff and start over. Period. Ford too. Bankruptcy is the best option.
If GM still thinks is a perception problem then you guys are dumber than we thought.
Sincerely,
A Tax Payer