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Are automaker execs sending wrong message?
For their trip to Washington to plead for taxpayer money to save an industry they themselves may have been partly responsible for crippling, you would think the chief executives of the Big Three automakers would be munching on humble pie in coach class of a United Airlines flight. "Instead, the chief executives of the Big Three automakers opted to fly their company jets to the capital for their hearings this week before the Senate and House -- an ill-timed display of corporate excess for a trio of executives begging for an additional $25 billion from the public trough this week." The Washington Post's Dana Millbank has the juicy details.
15 comments from 13 users
1
posted by
catpaw
on Nov 20, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Maybe the CEOs should have hitch-hiked or hopped a freight train. The issue is why they are in Washington, not how they got there. posted by
randomfactor
on Nov 20, 2008 at 11:01 AM
In these times the appearance is critical too. It was a boneheaded PR move. Remember Sarah Palin and her phony claims of eBay-selling the state plane? Folks eat that stuff up, whether it's germane or not. Meanwhile, it ain't just the Big Three in trouble: posted by
gopherbro
on Nov 20, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Well, there is an old saying, "If you insist on booking passage on the Titanic, there is no use going second class." posted by
NancyII
on Nov 20, 2008 at 11:27 AM
I remember Obama spending 4 million dollars on an infomercial in these tough economic times. You're right, appearance is critical. We ARE talking about wasteful spending aren't we? posted by
randomfactor
on Nov 20, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Twelve cents, Nancy. posted by
CatherineBaker
on Nov 20, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Haha! Good one, Gopher! posted by
sagefever
on Nov 20, 2008 at 11:54 AM
That is depressing RF..... they could have "private jet -pooled" to get there. Worn a "Sears" suit or something...But they went home with no money (so far) and in the end,first class or steerage, that ice cold sea water is a great equalizer. posted by
Lingtaowoo
on Nov 20, 2008 at 12:27 PM
I think that THEY KNOW that there is a 700 BILLION DOLLAR 'piece of pie' to be got....why not get OUR piece in this Administration before they go bye-bye...or use THEIR companies jets as a 'down payment' and use Amtrak or American Airlines---first class of course..... posted by
edmomom
on Nov 20, 2008 at 02:24 PM
Greed, pure and simple. There is no other explanation. Besides, if they get the money and don't make any changes, they are going to end up in the same boat. posted by
AudreyB
on Nov 20, 2008 at 02:49 PM
They should have to drive a 10 year old model of one of their lousy cars all the way back to detroit. See how the other half lives.
posted by
Laurah
on Nov 20, 2008 at 03:04 PM
Audrey, Great idea, but would they ever make it all the way back to Detroit? posted by
CatherineBaker
on Nov 20, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Haha, Mom! No kidding. posted by
sfinboston52
on Nov 20, 2008 at 03:21 PM
dont think we should be bailing them out. We should be trying to help the avg american. posted by
H8cloz
on Nov 20, 2008 at 06:55 PM
"you would think the chief executives of the Big Three automakers would be munching on humble pie in coach class of a United Airlines flight." Well, if they did that, I would have no respect for them or their accounting staff. You don't have a multi-million dollar CEO slog through an airport, stand in line, get delayed and waste an entire day to fly 500 miles on the airlines, first class or not. Whether you like it or not, their time is worth way too much to do that. I would rather they get to their meetings quickly and be able to conduct business on the way there and back. Corporate jets may seem like an extravagance, but their not. Now, whether the company should own the jet is a different story. I would be happier if it were a fractional jet operator, which costs far less than outright ownership. Never the less, there is a good reason for them to have their own jets. They aren't going to grandma's house for dinner...well, I suppose they could. Having said all that, they should be forced to file for bankruptcy. It's the best thing that could possibly happen to them and the country. More people will keep their jobs under a bankruptcy than if they go under all together. After the process is over, there will be one or two good, solid US automakers, but not three. posted by
proam
on Nov 20, 2008 at 07:05 PM
Audrey, I'd go back further than that. I'd have them driving a Ford Pinto, then when all the folks along the way asked these guys in their expensive suits why they are driving a Pinto, they could explain it to em. Have the guy from Ford riding in the back seat praying they didn't get rear ended and explode. I saw one just the other day. Thats what made me think of it. Ugly car I tell ya...
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