Bailout Watch 388: Jet Gate II?

It’s insane. Chrysler and GM’s executives run their companies into the ground, shedding billions of dollars worth of shareholder value, destroying tens of thousands of jobs, sucking-up taxpayer funds, and the public gets all bent out of shape about a couple of jet flights. Still, point taken. And TTAC can now reveal that two Pentastar chartered jets (a former Chrysler subsidiary) took off from Oakland County International Airport on the morning of December 2, two days before the hearings wherein Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli appeared before Congress. (where all three Detroit auto execs made a big deal about driving to the hearing and arrived on the Hill in their company’s hybrid vehicles.) A Gulfstream G550 [aircraft pictured above], left at approximately 6 a.m. A Gulfstream IV [$5700 per hour], left at 8:45 a.m. Both planes flew to Teterboro Airport, NJ. Both planes were carrying Chrysler executives. We have reason to believe Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli was on board one of the planes.

Chrysler PR has been questioned about Nardelli’s trip to Washington. Other than the fact that he was accompanied by a single, unidentified person, Chrysler has refused to provide any details of the journey: vehicle used, itinerary, etc. Nothing. In contrast, both Ford CEO Alan Mullaly and GM CEO Rick Wagoner’s journeys were well documented.

We have full details of these Chrysler Pentastar flights and information on one other made on the same day. We also know there’s a recording of the communications between the tower and the planes, which is scheduled for erasure. (We urge Oakland Airport not to destroy this tape.) In any case, we call on Chrysler to provide full details of Mr. Nardelli’s travel arrangements to the hearing.

Again, we’re aware that this is not the issue upon which Chrysler should be judged. However, Chrysler’s stonewalling on Mr. Nardelli’s travel arrangements on this date—and their point blank refusal to name the original or current investors in the company—establish a clear pattern of obfuscation. Chrysler currently has a $3b federal loan. It’s asking for $4b more. Until and unless Chrysler and Cerberus provide full transparency on these and other matters, those funds should not be provided.