Bloomberg reports today that General Motors has asked the FAA to remove its planes from the voluntary tracking system that allows the public to follow an aircraft’s movements.

This comes on the heels of criticism leveled at the chief executives of all three Detroit-based automakers for flying to D.C. in private jets to ask Congress for a publicly funded loan/bailout/monthly allowance.

Gulfstream Aerospace GIV, preferred mode of travel for corporate America.

At the Nov. 19 hearing before a House committee, Gary Ackerman, (D-N.Y.), asked the executives if they could have “downgraded to first class” or jet-pooled.

Granted, corporate executives frequently travel by private jet. Reasons put forth include better use of a highly paid CEO’s time, tighter security and some cost benefits realized from the first two reasons.

Those same reasons are also given for why elected officials fly, often on noncommercial flights. But that paradox doesn’t excuse the hubris of executives who earn large salaries from Gulfstreaming their way into Congressional hearings with hat in hand.

Maybe next week they’ll drive some of those hybrids they like to boast about. Here’s a tip: Avoid Rock Creek Parkway during rush hour.