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On Wednesday, the top brass at Detroit's Big Three automakers got run over in Congress and the press for flying to Washington aboard luxurious private jets to beg for a $25 billion industry bailout.
Two days later, on Friday, General Motors Corp. announced that it is terminating the leases on two of its five private jets in an effort "to cut costs."
Only three jets to go. If this keeps up, can it be long before they'll be traveling in coach?
GM spokesman Mike Meyerand told FOXNews that, until recently, the company leased seven corporate jets. The automaker "got out of" two of those leases in September, and two more on Friday.
Meyerand said the three remaining corporate jets would remain at the disposal of "only the very top senior leadership."
Asked if it was not the use of such aircraft by the "very top senior leadership" that occasioned this week's outcry, Meyerand said that was for the media to conclude.
Seriously, though, while it's fun to play the class warfare game and criticize corporate execs for traveling in style, corporate jet fleets can be very efficient and cost effective for senior executives whose time is very valuable. The ability of these private airlines to get execs to and from key meetings and events is a great productivity tool for these companies and I don't blame them a bit for using this kind of travel.
Having the CEO of GM waiting in a 20 minute security line, and sitting in the boarding lounge for an hour is not a good way to put his time to use. Believe me, if I had access to a private jet I wouldn't hesitate to use it every chance I got.
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