A case of extreme executive cluelessness

Just a question I've been thinking about since yesterday... What do you think the boys at the Big Three auto companies were thinking about when each took his own private jet to Washington to ask for help? A number of subsequent queries suggest themselves:

Are they stupid?

Assuming that they are NOT completely stupid, didn't anybody consider this might not be the absolutely best move, at least in terms of the optics?

If somebody DID think about it, did they voice the opinion and were then overruled?

Why were they overruled?

If nobody thought about it, WHY didn't they? Granted, the thousands of dollars spent in this form of transport have no discernible impact on the billions that are under review, but still...

If they were going to fly private, why didn't they all go in ONE jet? Do they hate each other that much? Or couldn't they agree on which jet they would take?

Did they think nobody would find out?

Why do senior officers of corporations get so out of touch? Is it a part of the job description, or do they devolve as they serve their terms?

Do politicians fly commercial? If so, why don't I ever see any?

Are senior officers of Detroit auto companies considered part of Middle America?

Should we blame an entire industry for the failings of its senior officers?

Whaddya think?

Comments

[truestarr]

[Are senior officers of Detroit auto companies considered part of Middle America? ]

Usually. Unless you are Alan Mulally, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ford Motor Company. Then you live in Seattle and are actually from the Northwest.

[RoloTomassi]

God only knows what unknown ties are between them, but the automakers are married to the oil industry--which in many ways is no surprise to anyone who has thought much about their relationship.

But the big 3's actions and behaviors over time reveal a more offensive mindset, much like that of the oil companies they are tied to--they know we are currently in a position where we need alternative fuels [thus alternatives to ICE-driven autos], but they also know that it will be years--if not decades--before we are in a position to make a majority move away from ICE automobiles [and petroleum products as fuel].

Because of this mindset, they will change nothing until forced to act, and like the oil companies they're in league with, their arrogance will not allow them to change anything until the market is completely dead, or they have managed to come up with a way to dominate their respective markets by providing new resources.

You can bet that if we were to be so stupid as to buy into the Big Oil fantasy of Big Oil produced hydrogen fuel cells as the primary replacement fuel for automobiles, the big 3 automakers would fall into lockstep and be ready on day one of Big Oil's conversion to Big Hydrogen.

[letstakeawalk]

They used corporate jets for one reason: its corporate policy for them to do so.
It's a good policy, you'll find the vast majority of corporations with executive jets have good reasons for using them.
-They are much quicker, making better use of valuable time.
-They are private, meaning sensitive discussions can be held.
-They are connected. The executive can still has phone and internet connections on a private jet.
-They are working environments. Having a meeting with your staff before you testify before Congress is easier when your chairs can face each other.
-They are dedicated. The executive doesn't have to worry about a late or cancelled flight when they're about to testify before Congress.
-Most businesses, including GM, lease their planes. The cost has already been factored into the company's budget.

[maxbell]

Why stop there?

Shut down wall street and the damned banks, too.

Nobody knows what the frak they're doing.

And they're wasting a lot of OUR money to prove it.

[moAb]

As to the CEOs...hubris and self absorption to the hilt. As to their plan...we, the people, already committed to $25 billion. What's another $25 billion to them? They are totally insulated from all of this aside from the failure of their firms. But listening to them and Gettelfinger speak shows you that they are all to eager to blame the economy for all their woes including the failure of their industry and are blatently unwilling to assume their share of responsibility.

As to politicians traveling commercial...saw Senator Dick Durbin flying commercial about a month ago.
In the past I have seen former Senator Birch Bayh,Sr of Indiana using public transportation. The only time I have seen Republicans in public involved limousines and the one time I saw Senator Al D'amato in public he was nestled between two young blonde babes in the bar at the Ritz Carlton, Tysons Corner a few years back.