I'm sorry, but I still don't get why AIG and Citigroup--liars, greedheads and parasites--get a free freakin' pass on bailouts--not bridge loans--and the automakers are getting shoved through a sieve.
Perfect. People complain about the way you go about your business. You don't like that. Solution? Make it illegal for people to see how you go about your business. Problem solved.
This really does encapsulate a large part of the US auto industry's problem. Their effort would be better spent trying to dig themselves out of the design, product mix, manufacturing and finance problems they have created for themselves. Instead they'd rather play 'hide the ball'.
They had big problems, and then the financial meltdown made the situation even worse. They have a right to go to Congress to ask for help and weigh in on the problems.
They also have the right to take their private jets. At the rate the executives are paid, it makes sense for them not to have to build their time around a carrier's schedule. It's cost effective for the shareholders for them to do this, and they're probably more productive as a result. We can argue about the value of what they're producing.
But what a poor understanding of the appearance of all of this and how the public will respond to it.
I don't think Wagoner is demonstrating the landing Maneuver, I think he is describing how great GM products are for kids to stick their arms out of at speed and make pretend wings with their hands. Gosh, it's like the American dream right there wrapped up in that simple childhood joy.
If GM were to go out of business, or even not be able to have their executives travel in their private jet with the striper pole and the foxy cabin crew, then that essential childhood right of passage would go the way of Oldsmobile and the entire fabric of our wholesome, apple pie way of life will be torn asunder.
Wall Street analysts have long tracked the flights of corporate and leased jets - it's a great way to figure out merger and takeover activity. Why just this Thanksgiving weekend Ford Motor Co. had a corporate jet in Thomasville, GA because some big Ford muckety-muck was going pheasant hunting. The Ford jet was one of many corporate jets there this weekend - corporate bigwigs love to blast birds to smithereens after begging congress for money (peasant hunting?).
The Ford jet wasn't the fanciest corporate jet in town - that honor belonged to the Waffle House jet. I kid you not.
@goatrope: The Ford jet wasn't the fanciest corporate jet in town - that honor belonged to the Waffle House jet. I kid you not.
As well it should. Successfully running a giant set of recession-proof, franchised, 24-hour diners with some of the most efficient processes in the food service business. That should be rewarded. God bless America.
(On the more upscale side, Cracker Barrel has a few jets, too)
Lutz was on public radio show; "wait wait don't tell me" this saturday. He sat through all the awful jokes and played along, waiting for his moment. It finally was forced in at the end in the form of this questions ansked by the host.
"If you had a dream car what would it be like?"
and the completely prepared answer was -The Volt. gimme a break, isnt this the same car Bobbo scoffed at in concept form? He then went on to give his one minute commercial for the volt and plug gm environmental responsibility in general. ack. I choke on your words!
@SanjanaMaylord: That seems like a situation where he's screwed either way. If he goes Maximum Bob and says something interesting, he's out of touch. If he says the Volt, he's mindlessly and cynically following the PR line.
I don't think it's that they don't get the PR thing, it's that they are so rich and disconnected from reality that they simply do not give a damm. Not one bit.
I think the general population would be dismayed (if that's the proper term) at the way corporate bigwigs spend money. Apart from the well-publicized salaries, stock options and frequent flyer miles; I would expect they probably have all kinds of perks piped into their homes so they can administer at any time, day or night. The sky's the limit. Anyone care to guess what kinds of extravagances they partake in regularly and chalk up to a legitimat corporate expense?
Just send Lutz to all these meetings instead. Save money on takeoffs and landings by letting him parachute straight down onto the building. Boom, instant Branson-esque street cred.
"Look up in the sky! Was that man born from a jet?"
Congress: Mr. Lutz, you jumped out of your private jet to be here and you are hear to ask for a bailout. Do you think that if you own a private jet, you need a bail....
Lutz: Now you just hold it right there nancy boy. We are here to focus on a bailout, not have a tea party about what jet I flew down here in. Start asking questions or I'll go maximum on you. You don't want me to go maximum. Its not pretty and in the end you'll be wearing lipstick and panties.
@The Name's Ash78, Housewares: No, the GM way would be to throw a Lutz mask on Wagoner, and then claim he's born from jets.
Just, if they don't want to be tracked like a delinquent teenager, would they mind leaving a note on the GM website, something to the effect of "gone to hang out with Bob and Al, be back on Jan. 20, 2009?" Still, the Bloomberg article mentions they're getting rid of about half of their jets, so I guess that's a good step.
12/01/08
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12/01/08
This really does encapsulate a large part of the US auto industry's problem. Their effort would be better spent trying to dig themselves out of the design, product mix, manufacturing and finance problems they have created for themselves. Instead they'd rather play 'hide the ball'.
They had big problems, and then the financial meltdown made the situation even worse. They have a right to go to Congress to ask for help and weigh in on the problems.
They also have the right to take their private jets. At the rate the executives are paid, it makes sense for them not to have to build their time around a carrier's schedule. It's cost effective for the shareholders for them to do this, and they're probably more productive as a result. We can argue about the value of what they're producing.
But what a poor understanding of the appearance of all of this and how the public will respond to it.
12/01/08
American cars suck.
American car executives suck.
If the car execs didn't suck perhaps the same would be true of American cars.
Game over American car companies, game over.
12/01/08
12/01/08
If GM were to go out of business, or even not be able to have their executives travel in their private jet with the striper pole and the foxy cabin crew, then that essential childhood right of passage would go the way of Oldsmobile and the entire fabric of our wholesome, apple pie way of life will be torn asunder.
12/01/08
The Ford jet wasn't the fanciest corporate jet in town - that honor belonged to the Waffle House jet. I kid you not.
12/01/08
As well it should. Successfully running a giant set of recession-proof, franchised, 24-hour diners with some of the most efficient processes in the food service business. That should be rewarded. God bless America.
(On the more upscale side, Cracker Barrel has a few jets, too)
12/01/08
"If you had a dream car what would it be like?"
and the completely prepared answer was -The Volt. gimme a break, isnt this the same car Bobbo scoffed at in concept form? He then went on to give his one minute commercial for the volt and plug gm environmental responsibility in general. ack. I choke on your words!
12/01/08
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12/01/08
12/01/08
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12/01/08
"Look up in the sky! Was that man born from a jet?"
12/01/08
Congress: Mr. Lutz, you jumped out of your private jet to be here and you are hear to ask for a bailout. Do you think that if you own a private jet, you need a bail....
Lutz: Now you just hold it right there nancy boy. We are here to focus on a bailout, not have a tea party about what jet I flew down here in. Start asking questions or I'll go maximum on you. You don't want me to go maximum. Its not pretty and in the end you'll be wearing lipstick and panties.
12/01/08
Just, if they don't want to be tracked like a delinquent teenager, would they mind leaving a note on the GM website, something to the effect of "gone to hang out with Bob and Al, be back on Jan. 20, 2009?" Still, the Bloomberg article mentions they're getting rid of about half of their jets, so I guess that's a good step.
12/01/08
No offense man, but that image of Nancy Pelosi should never be foisted upon someone before morning coffee. (rubs eyes)