I find it surprising that no one seems to defending the use of private jets by corporations just now. Top management of many corporations get paid a lot as we all know, even if some of them will be having to get by with an annual salary of 500,000 USD soon. The point is that these people need to get about to run their businesses and strike deals with other companies, get to press conferences, fly to other parts of the world to meet their staff and partners and get back home occassionally to spend time with their families. Private jets used sensibly and expediently by companies ensure that top executives make optimal use of their time, keep them alert and in good shape as they conduct company business around the world and can pack more into their working day. If we're paying them that much then let's provide the support they need so we can sweat their assets so to speak.

Do we really want to see the top people of those companies that are hopefully going to pull us out of this recession fly on major airlines in future. Do we want to see them take a taxi to airport, hang around in airport lounges waiting for their flights, stand in customs and immigration queues, put up with daily delays that many airlines have, take a car from airport to smaller cities that they might be needing to do business in..... You've got to be joking. That scenario would reduce their ability to do the jobs they do today by a factor of 10 at least. Let's get some sense of reality and balance back into this discussion about private jets for heaven's sake.