Mark Fields gives up his flying perks
On 11/15, we reported about the expensive flights on Ford's corporate jet that Mark Fields was taking every weekend from Detroit to his home in Florida. Today, Mr. Fields announced to the workers at Ford that he would forgo the perk, guaranteed to him as a part of his compensation package, and make the weekend flights home on a commercial airline.
Fields has been asked to relocate several times throughout his career at Ford Motor Company, and felt that this arrangement would avoid yet another disruption in the life of his family. He uses the time at home with his family to relax from the brutal schedule he keeps during the week as one of the significant players in the revitalization at Ford. Fields will continue to fly home to Florida on the weekends, but felt that the issue was becoming a distraction to the team and made the decision on his own, with the company's full support. See you on Southwest, Mark!
[Source: Detroit News via Jalopnik]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Pete Angilly 7:45PM (1/18/2007)
Just another example of the Mulally effect at Ford. It's so refreshing to see common sense decisions being made on a daily basis. I give Mark Fields credit, that perk was negotiated in his contract, he didn't have to give it up. But lets face it when tens of thousands of UAW workers are being let go it didn't make sense to keep the private jet commute. Having said that, the way most American companies operate nowadays it wouldn't have mattered to most execs. Fields and Mulally are on the right track. P.S. PLEASE build the 04 BRONCO concept!!!
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iQuack 7:58PM (1/18/2007)
The private jet is a lot to give up nowadays because flying on commercial airplanes is such an awful hassle.
At least he flies First Class for sure.
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Chad 8:06PM (1/18/2007)
This stuff sickens me. What a sacrifice this guy is making for his beloved company. Gimme a break!
The true story about this guy can be found here:
http://headsofindustry.blogspot.com/2007/01/history-of-hair-with-fords-mark-fields.html
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John P. 8:06PM (1/18/2007)
Pete, That Bronco Concept was cool wasn't it? I think it would outsell the FJ Cruiser 5 to 1 if they made it.
Good news on Fields back to taking the bus.
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Oscar 8:57PM (1/18/2007)
Heck for the people that are pissed because Marl used the company plain is not his fault the company included that in his contract with the offers they gave him
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Edsel 8:21PM (1/18/2007)
That's a very bold move on Fields part. Our two Senators from Massachusetts wouldn't give up their private jets for the UAW.
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chuck goolsbee 12:20AM (1/19/2007)
If he were a TRUE "car guy" he would make the commute by car. ;)
--chuck
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Silverado Rules!! 9:00PM (1/18/2007)
This guy is just LAME!!! He is part of the problem at Ford. HE MUST GO for Ford to survive.
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Fabulo 9:31PM (1/18/2007)
Poor baby is going to be forced to first class, like mundane CEO and other salespeople.
Brutal schedule? Give me a break. The brutal schedule is the ones of single mothers working 2 or 3 minimum wage jobs. That is brutal. High paid executive do not really endure brutal schedules.
In oher news, I'm sure Ford has a very good plain. Actually I think it's a great plain, right, Oscar?
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ponypower 9:30PM (1/18/2007)
#7 are you crazy, Fields is a very smart man and im glad Ford has him.
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M 10:10PM (1/18/2007)
Reminds me of an anecdote from Lee Iacocca's autobiography that took place during his tenure near the helm of Ford Motor Company in the 1970's.
The executive "lunchroom" served the execs whatever they wanted for something like $3. Henry Ford II would always order a hamburger and commented to Lee that they were so good he wondered what made them that way.
Lee checked. The chef would grind up a very choice steak and make the hamburger for Mr. Ford.
Lee also initiated an internal audit that revealed that in reality the $3 lunch was costing the company something like $80 a day per executive - in the 1970's.
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Steve Schweid 11:04PM (1/18/2007)
Tell him its ok to live in Detroit! By the time he flys home and then back he must have a four day work week. And I agree, tell a single working mom how hard his life is.... then remove her nails from your face. But its not his fault you would take the gig if it was offerd to you. My only question is who is the fool that gave him the deal?
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Howard 11:49PM (1/18/2007)
" My only question is who is the fool that gave him the deal?
The stockholders through their elected representatives on the Board of Directors who usually sign off on contracts at this level.
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Daniel 1:12AM (1/19/2007)
He might want to consider living in Detroit and driving back and forth to work. Hey, he could even drive a Ford?
Nice suit though.
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vanity 2:30AM (1/19/2007)
i wish he'd give up that mullet
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alex 7:29AM (1/19/2007)
I saw the Ford press conference at the Detroit show. Fields looked ridiculous in his mullet. Actually it was kind of embarrassing.
Look on the roads: how many 500's do you see? Very few for a supposed volume car.
then, with the euro-Focus winning car of the year over there, and being a legitimately good car, what did they do to revitalize our Focus? Reskinned the current model. Someone has his head up his butt with respect to product.
The absolutely absurd glass concept car showed their total lack of car-related product direction.
Other than the Mustang, Ford does not have a car in its stable that stirs the blood or makes me want to drive it. Until mid last year, their top volume car was the taurus, which couldn't even be bought at retail.
Mullaly impressed me at the press conference. Fields looked like an 8-track tape salesman from the late 70's in his zoot suit and mullet.
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L3 8:28AM (1/19/2007)
I'll take a Bronco concept myself! Grassroots campaign!
As for any analysis of fair compensation, shots can be taken, fair points can be made. It seems a bit 'sour grapes' to say, 'throw the bums out!' 'Back to the gutters for you, capitalist!'
I would hate to give up that perk. Pretty sweet deal. But which is more offensive? Being paid to idle?
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Spalind 8:43AM (1/19/2007)
Awww...how very big of him...we should all wish for someone like Fields to run our company...
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P to the C 9:49AM (1/19/2007)
I'm sure the Ford shareholder is still footing the bill for those weekly 1st class round trip tickets. And how brave of this man to to take the high road and decline the use of the corporate jet, instead suffering among the masses in a commercial (commercial!!!) airplane like the rest of us peasants. What a load. This is a classic example of what's wrong in America's boardroom.
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Murphy 10:08AM (1/19/2007)
People on here need to get a life!! Everyone on here would rather live in florida than michigan. And everyone on here would fly there company jet for free if they could. None of you would worry about the company until it was crucial(hence what he is doing now).
You guys can't even compare Fields with a single mom. This guy didn't get his job by luck. He is a dedicated guy and intelligent. I am sure he has worked his butt off to get where he is. There are perks of being the top dog. He didn't have to give this up and he isn't looking for anyones sympathy. This was one small way he felt he could help the company in these trying times. I respect that.
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