GM to return two leased jets amid criticism

[lineworker]

Originally Posted by Dr. Show-Me

Find whoever is the best spokesman for GM and have him do the talking. Have Bob Lutz drive there in the Camaro, Ed Wilburn in the new LaCrosse, Rick Wagoner in the Volt. Make it a 2-day drive, with publicity along the way. And apologize for not being more sensitive to peoples' perceptions. A little humility goes a long way.

We talked about this at work last week. Make it a caravan from Detroit to DC with all 3 auto makers involved,park right in front of congress so everybody can see the products they are making.

[yellowduck]

Originally Posted by lineworker

We talked about this at work last week. Make it a caravan from Detroit to DC with all 3 auto makers involved,park right in front of congress so everybody can see the products they are making.

Now why didnt they think of that?

[2002 Caddy]

Originally Posted by fp115

With insurance, it is really difficult to take most forms of transportation. Costing millions more just to save a few thousand dollars per flight doesn't make much sense to me. However a lot of executives have lost privileges. Regional presidents don't have as many perks as before, their VPs jumped down an entire level in terms of support. Its costing much less for these guys as it has in the past.

Do you understand what this insurance is? Or are you just drinking some more coolaid... Let me help...

A few CEO's with huge egos believe (and convinced their board) that the company will go titsup if they were to die in a plane crash... They use this to justify a huge life insurance policy payable to the company... They also use this to justify the requirement of private jets.

The truth is that if Rick were to die in a plane crash GM would be worth MORE... WAY MORE... Right after he sells all of the private jets he should cancel the life insurance policy... It it worthless.

Want more proof?

Warren Buffet, one of (if not the) richest man on the planet FLIES COACH!..
Bill Gates flies coach too.. ( Ballmer fly first class... he pays the difference)

RICK Should drop all of the BS excuses and get his butt into the back of a 737 with all of the "unwashed". There is NO BUSINESS CASE for ANY CEO to fly in a private jet....

This is 100% about ego and status.

[FierySolstice]

They should get rid of all their planes or all three companies should have maybe 1 or 2 planes that they could lease together, like a time share of sorts. That way they would be atleast saving some money. Most of the public don't know who they are, why do they need jets because of safety? Give them one body guard then, thats a lot less than maintaining a fleet of jets.

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by 2002 Caddy

Do you understand what this insurance is? Or are you just drinking some more coolaid... Let me help...

A few CEO's with huge egos believe (and convinced their board) that the company will go titsup if they were to die in a plane crash... They use this to justify a huge life insurance policy payable to the company... They also use this to justify the requirement of private jets.

The truth is that if Rick were to die in a plane crash GM would be worth MORE... WAY MORE... Right after he sells all of the private jets he should cancel the life insurance policy... It it worthless.

Want more proof?

Warren Buffet, one of (if not the) richest man on the planet FLIES COACH!..
Bill Gates flies coach too.. ( Ballmer fly first class... he pays the difference)

RICK Should drop all of the BS excuses and get his butt into the back of a 737 with all of the "unwashed". There is NO BUSINESS CASE for ANY CEO to fly in a private jet....

This is 100% about ego and status.

I have to agree there. Especially after hearing about the other execs that do things so differently. I am by no means a supporter of the unions, but I do believe managment has to lead by example. You can't ask for concessions while making none yourself.

[fp115]

Originally Posted by FierySolstice

They should get rid of all their planes or all three companies should have maybe 1 or 2 planes that they could lease together, like a time share of sorts. That way they would be atleast saving some money. Most of the public don't know who they are, why do they need jets because of safety? Give them one body guard then, thats a lot less than maintaining a fleet of jets.

They all have body guards, several of them. In some cases also require chauffeurs depending on where they are travelling through. GM's executive insurance does not cover the executives if they were to use public transportation or if they are not chauffeured in certain areas. In order to remain covered it would potentially cost millions more in order to cover the executives under the company's insurance. Bodyguards are also a part of this insurance deal. Presidents from every region (Mexico, Canada, China,..) all have bodyguards and chauffeurs as well. These are reasons why it is company policy to not allow them to fly anything but privately.

What other company execs do has nothing to do with GM's insurance policy. Especially these days with the amount of people getting laid off, there are more and more people looking to find revenge. I've personally seen it and if you all think that security is not an issue, then you have no idea how crazy and deranged some people may be.

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by fp115

They all have body guards, several of them. In some cases also require chauffeurs depending on where they are travelling through. GM's executive insurance does not cover the executives if they were to use public transportation or if they are not chauffeured in certain areas. In order to remain covered it would potentially cost millions more in order to cover the executives under the company's insurance. Bodyguards are also a part of this insurance deal. Presidents from every region (Mexico, Canada, China,..) all have bodyguards and chauffeurs as well. These are reasons why it is company policy to not allow them to fly anything but privately.

What other company execs do has nothing to do with GM's insurance policy. Especially these days with the amount of people getting laid off, there are more and more people looking to find revenge. I've personally seen it and if you all think that security is not an issue, then you have no idea how crazy and deranged some people may be.

I think it's time for GM to switch insurance companies. They should try Gieco, I hear they can save up to 15%. When it's 15% on millions, that's a lot!

Or Kwame's security team is out of work now. Rick could hire them cheap, I bet.

I realize there's risks associated with his line of work, but how is he different than the CEO of WalMart? You think there aren't pissed off ex-employees gunning for him too? Or people mad that they came into town and shut them down. Many regard WalMart as the most evil corporation in America. I think GM's travel arrangements could be made a little cheaper. I don't buy the millions dollars of insurance, since I don't see similar companies doing the same, or haven't heard of it.

[fp115]

Originally Posted by Uzzy

I think it's time for GM to switch insurance companies. They should try Gieco, I hear they can save up to 15%. When it's 15% on millions, that's a lot!

Or Kwame's security team is out of work now. Rick could hire them cheap, I bet.

I realize there's risks associated with his line of work, but how is he different than the CEO of WalMart? You think there aren't pissed off ex-employees gunning for him too? Or people mad that they came into town and shut them down. Many regard WalMart as the most evil corporation in America. I think GM's travel arrangements could be made a little cheaper. I don't buy the millions dollars of insurance, since I don't see similar companies doing the same, or haven't heard of it.

GM's travel has been stripped from all its employees and only executives can travel, for business purposes only.

We are talking about completely different company structures here. Automakers are always in the news, especially as of late. Different insurances also can do a lot. In the result of bodily harm to an executive such as Rick, could cost the insurance company upwards of $100m. If the same were to be done while he is on vacation, this number significantly decreases. Executives and their families must remain vigilant, at all times.

Walmart however has the largest fleet of corporate jets than any other US company. All their executives fly privately. Walmart claims that these private jets save them more money by limiting their executives' downtime. Walmart's jets are also amongst the most expensive ones you can find.