And by “they” I am referring to the big three automakers. According to Jalopnik, GM seems to still be a bit in the dark on how transparency in operations works. They have asked the FAA to block public tracking of leased corporate jets. Currently, the FAA allows people to look and see where the corporate jets have gone. It’s designed to keep abuses down. If anyone can check up on GM or Ford, they’d be able to tell that the Ford corporate jet that went to Thomasville, GA, over Thanksgiving holiday was there to let some senior executive go pheasant hunting. (Reported by a commenter so this may or not be factual – but I’m betting it’s fact – it’s a level of cluelessness that seems endemic at the big 3.)

The Ford jet was one of several jets at Thomasville this past weekend. When your company is going to Congress to ask for billions in guaranteed loans, why not celebrate by taking the corporate jet to go hunting peasants – or was it pheasants – I forget?

The fanciest corporate jet in town belonged to Waffle House. You want my money dudes? Terminate the guys who took the flight and announce their names to the world. That’s step one. Do that before you step in front of a Congressional microphone.

Step two, Mr. Mulally, you’re not OK where you are. Take a $27 million pay cut before you get a penny. There are more steps. A lot more steps.

Edit: Alan Mulally has agreed to accept a salary of $1 a year if Ford gets bailout money. Now about the bastards that went pheasant hunting…