Some in Congress pounced this week on what they view as the hypocrisy of auto executives flying on corporate jets to Washington to ask for public help.
Corporations insist that riding on private planes is a necessary security requirement for top officials that also helps them be more efficient. As it turns out, that’s how executives at many — but not all — big companies get around.
About 11,000 U.S. companies operate jets or powerful prop planes, and more use smaller planes, said Ed Bolen, president and chief executive of the National Business Aviation Association. He said companies like their CEOs to be productive and to have access to phones and e-mail during flights. And if, say, the chief executive and chief financial officer are flying together to meet with investors, they can talk about their company’s books without worrying they’ll be overheard, he said.
