"Delicious Irony" of Luxury Jets Flying In to Beg For Money

[ksimons]

Run time: 00:32 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p3fKnyMql0   Posted on YouTube: November 19, 2008 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: November 19, 2008 By DU Member: ksimons Views on DU: 1167

 
Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY) evoked auto-execs private jet travel. Ackerman said the CEOs’ profligacy made Congress “a little bit suspicious” of their austerity pledges

As ABC news reported last night, all three auto-executives flew luxury private jets to Washington, DC, for yesterday’s and today’s hearings.

GM's Wagoner flew in a $36 million luxury aircraft to tell members of Congress that the company is burning through cash, asking for $10-12 billion for GM alone. Wagoner’s private jet trip to Washington cost his ailing company an estimated $20,000 roundtrip. In comparison, seats on Northwest Airlines flight 2364 from Detroit to Washington were going online for $288 coach and $837 first class.

Later in the hearing, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) asked if any of the executives planned to sell their private jets; none raised his hand. Sherman was exasperated: “I don’t know how I go back to my constituents and say, ‘The auto industry has changed,’ if they own private jets which are not only expensive to own but expensive to operate and expensive to fly here rather than to have flown commercial.”

[RobertSeattle]

1. That will be a classic

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. I would like to point out...

Just as an aside, that both the American and Russian man-portable SAMs should work just dandy on luxury jets, in situations just like this.

Apropos of nothing, I assure you.

[quidam56]

3. Ahhhhhhhh, THE AMERICAN WAY

Mega profit machines and main st. Thanks Presidebt Bush for turning us into a third world nation ! http://www.wisecountyissues.com come see the
progress and prosperity in Appalachia all for Greed and the love of money.

[mmm413]

4. This was awful.

But it's not as bad as Wall Street being bailed out with no accountability at all. If the Big 3 isn't bailed out then millions will lose jobs, if nothing else in related jobs. Automative parts. Etc. Wall Street, after this bailout, has managed to pay shareholders, execs pay and bonuses.

The Big 3 was very stupid in flying into these hearings on private jets. And they (meaning the execs) should have to pay a heavy price. But please remember all the people (and the outliers) who depend on these manufacturing jobs. Which, basically, are the only manufacturing jobs left in the USA.

I would much rather see my tax dollars go to the Big 3 than Wall Street.

[ksimons]

5. This will be the first big test of the new administration

because it is so visible and on people's minds, we'll see what happens. My guess is that they will want to lob off the top of the company.

Let's face it, the fact that they showed up in luxury jets indicates who they are looking out for, period. These folks don't really care about the company - they care about keeping their million dollar run on the table going. If they really DID care, there would be no jets, no limos, no tens-of-million dollar salaries. How the hell are they going to pay all that with cars no one wants?

Makes no sense. Hence their inevitable problems. Sad that the everyday American worker suffers.

[ksimons]

6. oops, wasn't intending to reply to your comment - sowwy nt