GM to return two leased jets amid criticism

[Ichingcarpenter]

Source: Reuters

DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Corp will return two of its leased corporate jets amid intense criticism in Washington this week on the luxury travel arrangements of its chief executive even as the company pleads for federal aid.

CEO Rick Wagoner was in the capital to testify on the company's dire financial situation but his testimony was overshadowed by irate lawmakers who blasted him for flying on a private jet to ask for public funds and failing to make personal sacrifices in exchange for federal assistance.

Chief executives from Ford Motor Co, and Chrysler LLC, who were also there to plead for $25 billion in federal aid, came under fire too for flying to Washington in private jets.

Wilkinson said the decision to return the leased corporate jets was made before this week's hearings and that the company in September returned two other of the seven jets it had at the beginning of the year.

"There is a perception issue," Wilkinson said of Wagoner's travel to Washington on a private jet. "We need to be very sensitive to that going forward."

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE4AK5EG20081121

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Gag me with a spoon

[babylonsister]

1. Awww, poor babies. They only have 3 luxury jets left? nt

[bdamomma]

4. poor babies is right.

coming in private jets and holding out their hands what sleaze bags they are.

[trotsky]

2. "the decision ... was made before this week's hearings"

Riiiiiiiiiiiiight. :eyes:

[hamsterjill]

6. Tanya Tucker Song

As the old Tanya Tucker song goes, "It's a little too late to do the right thing now!"

[tridim]

3. Put them on Eeee-baaay.

[Kolesar]

5. It's the Trillion dollar jets sold by Lockheed that we should be worried about

The F-35 acquisition was a trillion dollars. And GM wants $35 billion. Which spending will help our economy?

[aquart]

7. LOL! "Sensitive"???? "Perception issue"???

We perceived that they were heartless, clueless, greedy bastards. What did we miss?