It never ceases to disappoint how wrongly this is perceived. The root issue has absolutely nothing to do with their mode of transportation. 
Yeh it would be better. I don’t see how it would be a huge shame to them anyway, I couldn’t identify one of them if my life depended on it… I could fly on 100 flights with all of em sitting next to me and I wouldn’t know who they are till I flip on the news at home and see the “Execs fly commercial” headline.
Yep! I’m amazed how much play this story has had. I guess symbolically they should have all piled into a wind up car and made a 2 month road trip to D.C. Symbolism over substance is the current way. This to shall pass.
I say let em fail and then pick up the pieces that are worth salvaging. Screw the UAW.
Of the two trillion dollars handed out already, like AIG, and now I hear possibly Citi Bank; I’m sure they all showed up in their Gulfstreams and alike as well!!!
However, GM has agreed to terminate the lease on two of their five Gulfstreams.
Fox News.
FlightAware Flight Tracker N5113
GM fleet, N5113, N5114 G-IV G450’s
N5115, N5116, N5117 G-IV G350’s
Doesn’t the U.S. Government own several Gulfstream products?
This is so silly and illustrative of why our economy is on the rocks.
I see what you’re saying. My argument is more on the lines that they shouldn’t be doing this 1) because this just doesn’t set well with the people. 2) It shows how little they are willing to sacrifice. Its really the second one that bothers me.
With full respect jgona… Most people have no idea and a clear understanding of advantages, and necessity of business aviation. Most people simply view it as a “fat cat” and his/her excesses. That is absolutely not the case. Especially regarding a publically traded company such as GM. Frankly, it’s too bad that it “doesn’t set well with the people”…they are ignorant (in the true sense of the word) and narrow-minded to the program of true corporate business and its (note that it’s about the business) security. There is no way that Wagoner, Mulally, etc. could do what they do efficiently and securely on the airlines. That is FACT. Another FACT is that the majority of Big 3 aircraft users are mid/upper level management and engineers that go to destinations and adhere to a schedule globally that no airline can accomodate. Further, if they were to travel via the airlines, that time in transit would be mostly unproductive. Unproductive because they would not be able to work/converse in a secure environment. Business aviation is vital to the corporate world. To believe otherwise is merely a lack of knowledge in the subject.
If everyone wants to lay down to the media spin then lets “sacrifice” and just shut down the 29 aircraft of the 89th Airlift Wing. I’m sure that the taxpayers really don’t think that Nancy Pelosi etal need to travel on Gulfstreams either.
Good idea Mark, but too narrow an implementation. Better still to shut down the airlines and force everyone to take Amtrak or Greyhound to get to their destinations.
After all, only the well off can afford to fly, right? Why should they be the only ones who can afford to save time and travel in relative comfort and safety?
Yes. N1 is a famous example.
Bloomberg so the FEDS are now set to hand out 7.4 Trillion so far!!!
Sounds more like a whose who of corporate jets, not the big 3.
So let me get this straight, the American Govt. in secret week end meeting, decide to support Citibank with over 300 Billion in guarantees. This includes over 20 Billion of cash!!!
And who are they rescuing, after one of the single biggest shareholders in Citibank is the Saudi Prince Click Here who magically manged to buy an extra 300 million dollars of depressed Citibank shares just before the Govt rescued was announced.
I’m guessing the Saudi Prince made enough money to buy GM’s two Gulfstreams - just in today’s profit!!!
Thanks US taxpayers.
Heh, that doesn’t include the 25 Billion in cash Citibank got a month ago out of the 700 Billion bailout. It was given to Citibank with the intent of freeing up credit and making loans to - oh yeah - the US taxpayer.
But guess what, there is a recession out there, so what did Citibank do with the 25 Billion - what any capitalist would do - they used it to buy up some trouble businesses to add to their portfolio.
Thanks US taxpayers.
For any American Citizens out there!!!, just thought I’d mention, the total of the loan guarantees by the Feds in the last 45 days, equals $24.000.oo for every US citizen.
In Canada we call it Fraud.
If there really is anybody out there that cares that the big three showed up in their Gulfstreams, take note; our Saudi Prince made 58% on his 300 million he threw in prior to the announcement of the Feds.
So in fact while the US taxpayer was at work today supporting CitiBank, the Prince made enough money to buy 3 brand new G-V’s for cash!!!
PS: If anyone can explain how this is not insider trading, please do!!!
If anyone is familiar with Conrad Black, he must be foaming at the mouth by now . . .
Well today the Feds agreed to another 800 Billion tossed into the mix.
So by creating another 800 Billion out of thin air, that money is now owed back, plus interest. Yikes!!! That is now 8.5 Trillion, most of it in guarantees, but with 3 million foreclosures this year alone, those guarantees are going to get cashed out!!!
Never mind . . . Federal Reserve Explained.
The economy is a sinking ship… its every man for themselves now!! 
So whats CitiBank doing with all the money???
sCBC New plans to invest 13 Billion of US Taxpayer money, in a huge take-over in Toronto Canada, by loaning the money to the Ontario (Canada) Teachers Pension Fund.
Problem is the value of the stocks to secure the loan is falling like a rock, if the deal had already closed, they would have lost half the value already.
Anyway, I’m sure Canada thanks the US Taxpayer??, though I can’t figure out why they’ed loan the Saudi backed bank, money from you, to lend to me?? Thanks anyway.
Toronto . . .
Ohhhhh I see now!! We have to ask for billions of dollars becasue we gave what we had away!! Its like buying more tokens for your child at Chuck E. Cheese… when they deplete what they have they ask for more… Maybe we should start giving them their billions in monopoly money because if the economy stays on the same track its on right now thats all our money is going to be worth!
I filed for a Government Bail-out Yesterday. I’ll be flying to DC in a chartered 777.
N1 paid a couple of visits to Oshkosh this year - it was parked on the north ramp. It wasn’t as big as the Global 5000 which brought in the former FAA administrator in 2007. That was N47.