It's the end of the world as we know it and the banks and airlines feel fine, because even in the midst of economic collapse CEOs can sleep soundly at night, secure in the knowledge that the American taxpayer will bail them out. Again.
All they have to do is wait a respectable six to 12 months after the wire transfer clears to start giving themselves raises, renovating executive suites and buying back their stock.
That's exactly what happened during and after the 2008-2009 global economic crisis that followed the subprime mortgage meltdown. In 2008 alone, banks that received government bailouts spent $1.6 billion on executive salaries, bonuses and benefits, including "cash bonuses, stock options, personal use of company jets and chauffeurs, home security, country club memberships and professional money management," The Associated Press reported.