Big Three auto CEOs flew private jets to ask for taxpayer money
mammasan
Posts: 5,656
"When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
Post edited by Unknown User on
0
Comments
God how do you not get it???????
Where I'm not ugly and you're lookin' at me
Let's just breathe...
I am myself like you somehow
"There is a delicious irony in seeing private luxury jets flying into Washington, D.C., and people coming off of them with tin cups in their hand, saying that they're going to be trimming down and streamlining their businesses," Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-New York, told the chief executive officers of Ford, Chrysler and General Motors at a hearing of the House Financial Services Committee.
"It's almost like seeing a guy show up at the soup kitchen in high hat and tuxedo. It kind of makes you a little bit suspicious."
He added, "couldn't you all have downgraded to first class or jet-pooled or something to get here? It would have at least sent a message that you do get it."
was like a picture
of a sunny day
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
High Traffic ART EZI FTJ JSR KPA PCD SYN ULX VLB YHF
Low Traffic CIO MIW
Non Traffic ABC BAY FDU GBZ HNC NDP OEM ROV TMS ZWL
November 19, 2008
Mr. Brian Ross
Chief Investigative Correspondent
ABC News
7 West 66th Street
New York, NY 10023
Dear Mr. Ross:
Concerning your November 19 report, “Big Three CEOs Flew Private Jets to Plead for Public Funds,” it is unfortunate that your story did not give viewers a full picture of why companies have planes and use them as part of routine business.
The truth is that companies of all sizes, all across the country, fly many types of aircraft to places where there is often little or no commercial airline service, so that they can reach new markets, deliver parts to keep assembly lines open, provide just-in-time customer service, reach distant company offices, transport sales teams, and fly a host of other types of missions in order to stay nimble and remain competitive, especially in a tough economic climate.
Studies show business use of general aviation aircraft adds tangible value to a
company’s bottom line. Businesspeople can make a trip involving stops at several locations, then return to headquarters the same day, saving time and travel expenses that would be needed to make the same trip over several days via auto, train or airline transport. Also, because employees can meet, plan and work with each other aboard business aircraft, productivity, confidentiality and security en route are assured.
In a difficult economy like the one facing us now, the opportunities offered by this mode of transport become even more important, because companies have to work harder to grow their business, find new markets and serve existing customers. We’re disappointed that your report left viewers with a skewed impression of how and when business airplanes are routinely used.
Sincerely,
Ed Bolen
President and CEO
National Business Aviation Association
It is basically a double-edged sword, whatever is decided.
If we give them the bailout/loan, it would appear to say it's okay that the executives keep on padding their pockets while sending the jobs overseas because it's cheaper. And they have no intention of changing this practice in the future.
But on the other hand, if we don't help, it means thousands of jobs will be lost. Thousands of businesses will be forced to close their doors. Thousands of families will be affected.
It is really quite sad.
We do not inherit the earth from our parents. We borrow it from our children.
I agree with you that the execs should go.
That being said, not only do I believe they'll retain their positions, I pretty much expect to read about the distribution of their annual bonuses in the future.
Anybody expecting anything different needs their head examined.
We live in a greedy world.
We do not inherit the earth from our parents. We borrow it from our children.
Fucking unions. Its really sad to see what has become of them.
Greedy lazy workers.
Sweep the Leg Johnny.
I'll admit it's clear I have a biased view but I would like to echo a previous post and reiterate the fact that, although on the surface it seems that private jet travel is ostentatious and excessive, it is a valuable tool that enables those who utilize it the means to save large mounts of time and in many cases access to opportunites previously unavailable to them.
In the case of the Detroit execs it may have been possible to airline in but there are few direct flights and it would have taken them half a day to get there and half a day to get back including ground transport and layover times. If they had a meeting in the morning, the DC meeting, and a meeting in the evening an airline would not have been possible.
I know it looks awful but I assure you- the planes a there to essentially make money in the case of a large, international company.
Union contracts obviously have to be reorganized and the minimum per hour salary has to be lowered, but I think you're oversimplifying to the nth-degree if you're saying that those contracts are the sole reason they have come upon hardships.
but did each of them have to take a separate plane? they were all going to the same place....how about plane-pooling?
They should really all go to the fracs. and save lots of money.
he had a voice that was strong and loud and
i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
eager to identify with
someone above the crowd
someone who seemed to feel the same
someone prepared to lead the way
i've heard guests on cnn say the unreasonable demands by unions and paying the workers too much is a big part of the problem
he had a voice that was strong and loud and
i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
eager to identify with
someone above the crowd
someone who seemed to feel the same
someone prepared to lead the way
Amen to that. You hit the nail on the head.
High Traffic ART EZI FTJ JSR KPA PCD SYN ULX VLB YHF
Low Traffic CIO MIW
Non Traffic ABC BAY FDU GBZ HNC NDP OEM ROV TMS ZWL
don't get me started on the union workers ... same guys who demand high pay for their work but yet shop at wal-mart ...
having said that - i'd like to see what the bonus payouts were last year to upper management ... i'm guessing they still gave themselves bonuses despite the impeding crisis ...