Google Jet Sucks In Controversy
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Written By Reprise Media | July 7, 2006 | Share This
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We know what you’re thinking, and no, ‘Google Jet’ is not the name of a newly launched web application from Big G. We’re talking about the used 767 that Google bigwigs Sergey Brin and Larry page bought last year. However, like many Google operations, the corporate jet also seems to be stuck in beta, according to the Wall Street Journal (don’t feel like reading? They’ve also got video coverage).
Why is an old plane attracting so much attention from a major paper? Lawsuits. The aviation designer hired to refurbish the aircraft’s interior, Leslie Jennings, was fired after eight months on the project, and now he and Blue City Holdings (which owns the plane on Google’s behalf) are suing each other over the messy breakup. Danny Sullivan has another write-up here.
Blue City says Jennings mismanaged the plane’s redesign, spending too much money and failing to return materials after his termination. Jennings, meanwhile, alleges that he wasn’t paid what he was owed and that Blue City is in illegal possession of his “confidential” design plans. And that’s not all: he also airs weird details about Brin’s and Page’s airplane wishlist, which included hammocks suspended from the ceiling and a “Califorina king” bed for Brin. Eric Schmidt is supposed to have told Jennings, “It’s a party airplane.” Sounds a little more like a naptime plane to us, but we guess sleeping can be a party.
Oh, and another thing: nobody except Blue City seems to know where the plane is. Last seen in San Antonio, the 767 has apparently been moved to an undisclosed location (maybe it’s hiding in the quality score; we sure can’t see into that).
Topics: Google |