GM Closing Flight Dept
#11
New Hire
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
If I were a U.S. Senate or Congressional member I would be careful about my travel on private corporate aircraft from now on. These hypocrit's should be exposed for their double standard attitude toward travel on Corporate aircraft and refused passage on any aircraft operated by corporations. What a bunch of jerks they are.
#13
Not sure who's next but this is all part of a larger movement of a backlash against the rich. Corporate jets, excessive compensation packages, etc. It doesn't matter whether justified or not, the public and by extension, the Congress, have had enough and the gravy train days are over
#14
Gone
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 0
From: Gone
Well maybe if these CEO's spent some time in the cars they made then maybe they would not be in this situation. I bet a CEO of FORD would cry if he spent 6 hours in a FORD.
#15
...Detroit News
December 3, 2008
By Tom Greenwood
Auto executives travel to D.C. by car but is it cheaper?...
December 3, 2008
By Tom Greenwood
Auto executives travel to D.C. by car but is it cheaper?...
As mascots for an industry they are helping to take down by drawing salaries of 25 Harvard MBAs combined each, they do not need to go 550 miles per hour; 60 mph will do for that sort of transportation.
I am all for free market capitalism but that is not the issue here. The issue here is a bunch of fools who are nothing but comical parodies of capitalism. They are embarrassments that happen to draw millions of dollars in annual compensation apiece.
At least the fabulous Allen Mullally of former Boeing fame volunteered to cut his whopping 25-man salary down to $1 a year until his company rises above water again and rises out of bankruptcy. Maybe he gets it as they say; I hope so.
Last edited by Cubdriver; 12-05-2008 at 07:57 PM.
#16
It's hard to believe that with our backgrounds in aviation, the efficiency of corporate aviation is being questioned.
Granted, saddling up the Gulfstream to go begging for money is very bad PR. A coach seat on Northwest would have been much more appropriate. Of course, if they had been delayed out of DTW and missed their appearance on Capitol Hill that would have raised 'nother whole set of issues.
But seriously, we all know that private aviation is a much more efficient use of one's time. No need to re-hash the justification here. That's why we all drive personal cars rather than take the city bus.
90+% of corporate flying is totally justified, it's the other 10% that is an embarrassment. You know, the one passenger G5 flying from Teterboro to Aspen for the weekend.
I have no problem with people using private jets if they save themselves time. To cubdrivers point, I just want to make sure that the time they are saving is being put to good economic use and helping make the overall economy better.
Unfortunately, the public is in no mood to define nuances. there is a general "off with their heads" sentiment out there. The reality is that whether GM owns its own fleet or not, the execs will still use private jets. Either charter or NetJets or whatever. I just feel sorry for the GM pilots, the average working stiffs, who are the real victims here.
Speaking of which, there is a rumor at netjets that if they get the GM business, the GM pilots get a guaranteed interview. Bottom of the list, that is if they even get hired. Again, it's the working man who suffers.
Granted, saddling up the Gulfstream to go begging for money is very bad PR. A coach seat on Northwest would have been much more appropriate. Of course, if they had been delayed out of DTW and missed their appearance on Capitol Hill that would have raised 'nother whole set of issues.

But seriously, we all know that private aviation is a much more efficient use of one's time. No need to re-hash the justification here. That's why we all drive personal cars rather than take the city bus.
90+% of corporate flying is totally justified, it's the other 10% that is an embarrassment. You know, the one passenger G5 flying from Teterboro to Aspen for the weekend.
I have no problem with people using private jets if they save themselves time. To cubdrivers point, I just want to make sure that the time they are saving is being put to good economic use and helping make the overall economy better.
Unfortunately, the public is in no mood to define nuances. there is a general "off with their heads" sentiment out there. The reality is that whether GM owns its own fleet or not, the execs will still use private jets. Either charter or NetJets or whatever. I just feel sorry for the GM pilots, the average working stiffs, who are the real victims here.
Speaking of which, there is a rumor at netjets that if they get the GM business, the GM pilots get a guaranteed interview. Bottom of the list, that is if they even get hired. Again, it's the working man who suffers.
Last edited by WorldTraveler; 12-06-2008 at 03:19 AM.
#17
Moderator
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,088
Likes: 0
From: B757/767
Not sure who's next but this is all part of a larger movement of a backlash against the rich. Corporate jets, excessive compensation packages, etc. It doesn't matter whether justified or not, the public and by extension, the Congress, have had enough and the gravy train days are over
Very well put. The public is tired of the Good Ole Boys Club and their gravy train. Someone mentioned earlier that time is money, and now these CEOs will lose valuable time. Let's be serious, these guys haven't done good business in the last 10 years. They're out of touch with their workers, company, and products. Yet they still have inflated compensation packages, and perks that they DON'T DESERVE! I want accountability on all levels, including the govt, and corporate America!
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,208
Likes: 49
From: B-737NG preferably in first class with a glass of champagne and caviar
Would it have been such a sin if the Autocrappic Four Wheel Lemon Peddling Putzes to fly to DC in a King Air or Turbo Commander?
I realize a turboprop is not as prestigious or as glamorous as a jet, but then the crappy product they‘ve been turning out in Detroit is nothing to brag about either.
Well sometimes arrogance does outshine common sense.
I realize a turboprop is not as prestigious or as glamorous as a jet, but then the crappy product they‘ve been turning out in Detroit is nothing to brag about either.
Well sometimes arrogance does outshine common sense.
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
Why didn't each CEO take 10K of his 20mil annual package and charter his own plane?
Instead they sit in a car for $11,000/hr (their pay) and drive?
is that a good use of shareholder value?
I guess the situation cannot be too bad at the big three if the top guys can spend 2 days driving the interstates?
IMO driving was a far worse display of brains than using the GV.
Instead they sit in a car for $11,000/hr (their pay) and drive?
is that a good use of shareholder value?
I guess the situation cannot be too bad at the big three if the top guys can spend 2 days driving the interstates?
IMO driving was a far worse display of brains than using the GV.
#20
Who is going to be left to use DTW.... GM, Ford, going away... NK reduced flying, NWA/Delta yet to be seen but you can probably bet it will be reduced flying. The last one out of Michigan turn the lights out!
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