Are CEO's just not down with the mainstream American

Are CEO's just not down with the mainstream American?
By VINNEE TONG, AP Business Writer Vinnee Tong, Ap Business Writer – Fri May 1, 12:07 am ET NEW YORK – U.S. companies remain generous with the perks they give to CEOs, including some that are unfathomable to the average American worker: chauffeured cars, bodyguards, club memberships and free travel in company jets. The median value of these and similar perks rose nearly 7 percent in 2008, according to an Associated Press analysis of regulatory filings from 309 companies in the Standard & Poor's 500. The increase came even as overall CEO compensation fell 7 percent to $7.6 million. Perks rose despite a public backlash against such benefits, which many investors and lawmakers deem excessive. They argue well-paid executives should cover the costs of life insurance, charitable donations and financial planning themselves, especially as companies struggle with falling profits, slumping stock prices and massive job cuts. Even some compensation consultants are saying enough is enough. "Those are things the average person, the average Joe, doesn't have, so we're saying, don't give them perks," said Paul Dorf, a managing director at pay consultant Compensation Resources Inc. But plenty of companies are keeping the spigots open. Occidental Petroleum CEO Ray Irani, for example, received $400,000 worth of financial planning, part of a $30 million pay package in 2008. To put it another way, that $400,000 in financial planning is more than the total annual household income of the vast majority of Americans. Occidental spokesman Richard Kline said the comprehensive financial planning helps Irani to "keep his complete attention on the company's business." The median value of perks — which is the midpoint at which half of the executives received more and half less — was $170,501 in 2008, up from $159,586 the year before. Only three CEOs in the AP survey received no perks in 2008. And perks made up a bigger percentage of total compensation, rising to 2.25 percent in 2008, up slightly from 1.95 percent, the AP's analysis found. The biggest earner of perks in 2008 was Johnson & Johnson CEO William Weldon. His perks package was worth $3.9 million, about 16 percent of his $23 million in overall compensation. Included in his perks package was a $3.6 million payment to a retirement plan, about $154,000 in personal flights on the company jet and about $26,000 for a car and driver. Only one CEO saw his entire compensation paid in perks in 2008: Richard Fairbank of Capital One Financial Corp. ($68,344). He received a car allowance, insurance, health care and home security. Some companies went beyond that. Cablevision Systems Corp. offered top executives free cable TV, free high-speed Internet service and use of the company travel department to book personal travel. Defense company Halliburton Co., meanwhile, has two separate programs to match charitable donations and yet another that boosts political giving. Fort Worth, Texas-based XTO Energy gave $3.4 million to Baylor University to help build a new sports complex. It was the second installment of a total $6.8 million pledge made in 2007 to supplement now retired CEO Bob Simpson's own $3.2 million donation to his alma mater. XTO's generosity extended to an unnamed school that Simpson's children attend. It got a $775,000 donation in 2008, the fourth installment of a $3.1 million gift. A company spokesman did not return a call for comment. On the other hand, some companies are increasingly using so-called perk allowances, basically cash that executives can dip into at their liking for the perks they want. For example, Tyco International CEO Edward Breen was given a $70,000 cash perk in 2008 while Reynolds American Inc. CEO Susan Ivey got $29,000 in cash to replace an old executive perks program. While plenty of companies were still willing to dole out generous perks, compensation advisers say there has been a slight pullback in certain benefits that seem to incite the most public outrage. Ira Kay, director of compensation consulting for Watson Wyatt, called perks a major "irritant" to shareholders. Some companies are changing their perks policies. Verizon Communications Inc. will no longer offer free jet travel to CEOs once they have retired, starting with its current chief executive. Past CEOs can still fly for free. "Companies are looking for stuff that isn't central to their pay programs," said David Swinford, chief executive of the compensation consulting firm Pearl Meyer & Partners. "Optics are very critical right now."
Media & Journalism - 2 Answers
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1 :
Yes does damn over charging CEOs. Promoted to the kings chair I reckon.
2 :
I love the excuses - keeps him devoted to his job. I mean hello - he signed up for this job - he can afford to hire a financial planner. People poorer than him have done so!!! I have friends in that business. I was in that business myself. It's competely disingenuous. These CEOs make so much money that they can afford to do all of this themselves. People like us have to do this stuff ourselves. They think they are special and are worthy. They have "earned" it. It's not always true. Some of them come from that line - eased the obstacles - have the right connections. They are snobs. The people should rise. Remember the French Revolution.

Help on my research paper

Help on my research paper?
I need some help on my research paper. Can someone copy and past my research paper to an answer with commas in the right places etc..Please ignore the "[]" those symbols are there for a reason. and don't mess with the quotation marks or any thing inside them. Don't mess with anything inside parenthesis either. Dallas is a fun place to visit or reside in. It is packed full of trendy neighborhoods, restaurants, theme parks, and shopping centers, plus several mass transit options. "The ultra modern and sophisticated city attracts worldwide travelers, making the area the No. 1 visitor and leisure destination in Texas"(www.visitdallas.com-City of Dallas-About the City Today 2). "Throughout the city, a visitor will enjoy the best shopping in the southwest, four-and five-diamond/star hotel's and restaurant's, the largest urban arts district in the nation, [thirteen] entertainment districts and much more"(www.visitdallas.com-City of Dallas-About the City Today 2). Dallas has a variety of people of different ethnicities and culture's. It is a very gay-friendly city with a fabulous gayborhood called Oak Lawn, nestled northwest of downtown. Dallas has a "population [of] 1,210,390 [and is] the 8th largest city in the United States [and the third] largest in Texas"(dallascityhall.com 1). It has a "land area [of] 384.7 [sq. miles]"(dallascityhall.com 1). The Dallas-Fort Worth metro is the "fourth-largest metropolitan area in the nation"(www.visitdallas.com-City of Dallas-About the City Today 2). Dallas has a "population density [of] 3,470 [residents] per sq. mile" (World Almanac and Book of Facts 1). "Located on the Trinity River, [Dallas] was first settled in 1841.[ ] While cotton fed the town's growth, the discovery in 1930 of the great East Texas oil field made the city a major [center] of the petroleum industry. It saw spectacular growth after World War II, when several large aircraft-manufacturing firms located in the area. These were followed by electronics and automobile-assembly plants. It is the headquarters of many insurance companies and the South West's leading financial [center], as well"(EncyclopediaBritannica#). "Visitors to the Dallas Metroplex have access to more than 15 airports from award winning international and national airports (DFW and Love Field) to regional and private jet facilities including Addison Airport. In addition, Dallas has constructed the world's largest urban elevated heliport in the central buisness district, which can accomidate multiple helicopters. Situated between Dallas and Fort Worth DFW [Int.] Airport is the world's third buisiest, offering nearly 1,900 flights daily with 60 million passengers annually"(www.visitdallas.com-Dallas Air Service 2). "Several ground transportation options are available from DFW airport, including shuttle services, automobile rentals, taxi cabs, and limousine[s]. By 2013, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) will provide services to the DFW Airport"(www.visitdallas.com-Dallas Air Service 2). DART offers transportation via bus or light rail train throughout the vast Dallas metropolitan area. The theme parks in Dallas are amazing. There are several of them scattered throughout the DFW metro. "[Six Flags Over Texas/] Hurricane Harbor is the largest park in the South West and Six Flags Over Texas offer[s] performances and nearly 100 rides, including the world's No. 1 rated wooden roller coaster"(www.visitdallas.com-Dallas Attractions-Things to Do In Dallas, TX. 2). "[The] Dallas World Aquarium [ ] has its share of marine life [ ], featuring a South America rainforrest and other exibits"(www.visitdallas.com-Dallas Attractions-Things to Do In Dallas, TX. 2). [At the] Dallas Arboretum [you can] explore 66 acres of lush landscape, gardens, and groves that sure the whole family. [It is] situated off the shores of White Rock Lake, [with] serene scenery"(www.visitdallas.com-Dallas Attractions-Things to Do In Dallas, TX. 2). "[At the] Dallas Heritage Village [you can] travel back to [the] Civil War-era [of] Dallas and take a tour through 13 acres of a living history museum. Beautifuly presurved, the village potrays North Texas life from 1840-1910"(www.visitdallas.com-Dallas Attractions-Things to Do In Dallas, TX. 3). "The [Dallas] Zoo gives hands-on feeding experiences with tropical birds. The zoo's nature exchange lets kids discuss their nature finds with a scientist and barter them for upgrades""(www.visitdallas.com-Dallas Attractions-Things to Do In Dallas, TX. 3). The charming city of Dallas is a fantastic setting to reside at or travel to. Travelers flock to this hub for the leisure, and entertainment produced by the 5-star restaurants, hotels, ammusement parks, neighborhoods, and shopping centers. You may travel to dallas via airplane or helico
Homework Help - 1 Answers
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1 :
I have helped young people get into several colleges including Harvard Law School. You ended your first sentence with a preposition. If the rest of the paper is like the first line it will be impossible to fix it and stay within your rules. A second word of advice; you are writing to impress someone. Doing such a thing is a very bad idea. Write to express, not impress. If you do that, your writing will be better received and you will be happier with it as well.

Did dems consider the law of unintended consequences when they forced the Passenger Bill of Rights into law

Did dems consider the law of unintended consequences when they forced the Passenger Bill of Rights into law?
The libs just HAD to force a "Passengers' bill of rights" into legislation... Did they figure that they might have created a BIGGER problem? "Several airlines, including Fort Worth-based American and Houston-based Continental, say they will cancel flights rather than risk paying stiff penalties for delaying passengers on the runway. "Continental's CEO told investors Tuesday that the airline will opt to cancel flights rather than chance being fined." http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/business/Airlines-Threaten-to-Cancel-Flights-Before-Paying-Fines-for-Delays-87181947.html
Politics - 14 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
No, they never do..
2 :
They can do what they need to do, but no one should be stuck on an airplane for 5 to 6 hours.
3 :
Better to cancel the flight and let people off the plane than to make them sit on the tarmac for 20 hours. At least if they cancel the flight, they have to give the passengers' their money back, whereas if they're sitting on the tarmac, they can keep passenger money AND provide lousy service. It seems like an intended consequence to me.
4 :
Dems don't consider anything good for Americans.
5 :
That's not a problem. If arilines cancel flights, then they will not be in business too long and those who can achieve normal and decent operation will take their place. Competition is wonderful. Competition, though, requires the promulgation and enforcement of "rules" that provide a framework.
6 :
another sound bit, bumper sticker solution by the left.... they don't care as long as the base is all emotional that the evil corporations is being punished....
7 :
Liberals are never concerned with the consequences of their actions. Higher prices and fewer seats are on the horizon.
8 :
You mean did they "think"? Yea, good one. Liberals pretending to understand the free market, that is funny...
9 :
After people were stuck on a runway for 9 hours with no water and not allowed to go to the bathroom, most of us travellers screamed bloody murder, because that's just wrong. So Congress, during Bush, started working on the bill. And anyone who has to travel for work is glad for it. We have no rights with the airlines, they treat people like cattle. And if I have to go to the bathroom, I'm going. Give me some **** water if you are going to trap me on a runway for 9 hours.
10 :
I'm not a Dem, but having been held hostage on a plane for hours, I'd rather not have boarded it at all than sit on the tarmac going stir-crazy. I have no beef with the airlines if they choose to cancel.
11 :
I was a new manager at a store with a problem, the employees were always late. My first day on the job I said, don't bother coming to work if you can't come on time, be neat and clean, and treat the customers with respect. For the rest of the day everyone complains, and some quit in protest. Most stayed, and a few took promotions from because of those who quit. But everyone was on time the next day. If airlines want to put themselves out of business for a reasonabl requirement, then let them. If airlines cancel too many flights then other airlines with better scheduling, suppy, organization, and manpower allocation will step in to fill the void. Capitalism at work.
12 :
The problem is that we have too many people in our government who don't know how to look for the simplest way to solve a problem. Problem: People are stuck on runways Why? Because there are no gates available to park and deboard aircraft Solution Build more gates How ? In a remote But secure section of the airport build a long low slung -think strip mall- minimal frills building that you can pull up an aircraft to and deboard it's passengers. What do you need? Air-stairs ,restrooms , seating areas, free minimal frills refreshments , TVs and a way of segregating various passenger groups from each other and that's it Problem solved
13 :
no, this Administration shoots from the hip and then asks questions. That's why some of their actions are so "Stupidly" wrong.
14 :
Seeing since Obama himself is a unintended consequence, I would say no the liberals/ dem's never saw anything coming. They never do or never will.

Chaep Flights

Chaep Flights!!!?
Trying to go to Dallas Fort Worth from Raleigh-Durham sometime between the end of July and early August, I need something really cheap seeing that everything else i so expensive. Can someone please help me find the lowest fares???
Air Travel - 2 Answers
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1 :
why dont you check out this travel site: http://www.ytbtravel.com/travelperfect
2 :
You are traveling during peak season so it will be hard to find a really cheap ticket. Checkout Southwest. They do not fly into DFW but into Love Field in Dallas. You will probably have to connect somewhere though.