Comments on: An ode to the corporate jet… http://www.footnoted.com/blog-notes/an-ode-to-the-corporate-jet/ Morningstar's guide to what's hiding in SEC filings Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:24:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Fred Bierwirth http://www.footnoted.com/blog-notes/an-ode-to-the-corporate-jet/comment-page-1/#comment-460 Fred Bierwirth Sat, 13 May 2006 16:33:18 +0000 http://www.footnoted.com/an-ode-to-the-corporate-jet/#comment-460 As someone who used to be in the corporate aviation industry (on the brokerage side), I am very well aware of the fact that private jets are often abused as a perk, and I'm certain that a lot of shareholders of public companies would be appalled to learn of the extent to which execs fly on the company (i.e., shareholder) dime. Having said that, however, I also think that the positive business aspects of private aviation are largely misunderstood and under-appreciated. To underline my point, the National Business Aviation Association sells a software package called Travel$sense which facilitates real-life comparisons of the cost of flying private vs. commercial. Once you factor in the time savings coupled with 1) the high salaries most execs receive, 2) the increased (POTENTIAL) productivity of being able to work or hold a meeting in private at 50,000 feet, and 3) the fact that the most airlines gouge on last minute ticket purchases, flying private can often be a break-even or cost-saving proposition. Again, I'm no longer in the industry, and I fully acknowledge that abuse of corporate jets is rampant. But sometimes there IS a very compelling business case. As someone who used to be in the corporate aviation industry (on the brokerage side), I am very well aware of the fact that private jets are often abused as a perk, and I’m certain that a lot of shareholders of public companies would be appalled to learn of the extent to which execs fly on the company (i.e., shareholder) dime. Having said that, however, I also think that the positive business aspects of private aviation are largely misunderstood and under-appreciated.

To underline my point, the National Business Aviation Association sells a software package called Travel$sense which facilitates real-life comparisons of the cost of flying private vs. commercial. Once you factor in the time savings coupled with 1) the high salaries most execs receive, 2) the increased (POTENTIAL) productivity of being able to work or hold a meeting in private at 50,000 feet, and 3) the fact that the most airlines gouge on last minute ticket purchases, flying private can often be a break-even or cost-saving proposition.

Again, I’m no longer in the industry, and I fully acknowledge that abuse of corporate jets is rampant. But sometimes there IS a very compelling business case.

]]> By: Scot Herrick http://www.footnoted.com/blog-notes/an-ode-to-the-corporate-jet/comment-page-1/#comment-459 Scot Herrick Sat, 13 May 2006 03:47:56 +0000 http://www.footnoted.com/an-ode-to-the-corporate-jet/#comment-459 The good news is that you were in the Milwaukee airport and they have decent food. The other good news is that Midwest Airlines is a way cool airline where you at least get leather seats and two-across seating. But, yes, a Gulfstream would be better. May it happen for you. Thanks for ahring your insights on your blog from a loyal subscriber (who used to live in Wisconsin and flew Midwest Airlines all the time...). Scot The good news is that you were in the Milwaukee airport and they have decent food.

The other good news is that Midwest Airlines is a way cool airline where you at least get leather seats and two-across seating.

But, yes, a Gulfstream would be better. May it happen for you.

Thanks for ahring your insights on your blog from a loyal subscriber (who used to live in Wisconsin and flew Midwest Airlines all the time…).

Scot

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