What's more American than cutting jobs to retain your high salary?

American Airlines. AMR did a nose dive today and CEO Gerard Arpey announced there might be thousands of employees laid off. The reason? He didn't have the foresight to see that oil would rise so much in price. So, why do these companies pay these CEOs so much money if they can't see what the rest of us have foretold in so many places for free?

I'll say it again. No compensation package necessary "Oil is a finite resource and its end is in sight."

So, Gerry received a 20% raise last year to $6.6 million and his deep solution at present crisis? Cut thousands from his payroll.

That's thousands of people Gerry.

People.

What drives the economy down faster than any other element? More unemployed and people failing to make a living wage. If you don't know what a living wage is google it. Last I checked it was around $17/hr. The airline industry is dominated by living wage jobs. The further the economy goes down, the less people will travel. The less they travel....do I have to spell it out?

If Gerry cuts his salary to a more humane half a million (he can still stay at the Four Seasons Hotel for that and drive his Beemer), he can keep over 100 flight attendants. But I bet he'll keep his salary and trash those 100 lives.

Why do CEOs cut jobs instead of their absurdly high compensation packages?

You tell me.