Got their hands on the wheel and their ready to drive...

I've been drivin' all night, my hand's wet on the wheel
There's a voice in my head that drives my heel
It's my baby callin', says I need you here
And it's half past four and I'm shifting gear

Golden Earring-- Radar Love

The Big Three are hitting the road, pointing their Ford, GM and Chrysler chariots south and off to seek some bounty from the Washington Lending Corporation, aka Congress.

The three automaker heads, chastened by their last appearance aboard private executive jets, have decided to fill up the tank and hit the highway, destination Washington, destination survival.

They will arrive in the American capitol, hopeful that this time they will be able to convince Republicans and Democrats alike of the urgency of their request for financial aid, so as to keep afloat one of the iconic industries of America.

The numbers requested are staggering, but so too, are the numbers of jobs to be lost and the shock to the American industrial engine should they fail and enter the legions of former corporations no longer able to make their way through troubled times.

With car pooling apparently out of the question for the big three,they are off on their separate journeys to the same destination.

One hopes that they all keep to the speed limits, after all a speeding ticket is just one more problem that they don't need and probably couldn't pay anyways.

New York Times-- Contrite Over Misstep, Auto Chiefs Take to Road
New York Times-- Pursuing U.S. Aid, G.M. Accepts Need for Drastic Cuts
Detroit News-- Survival roadmap for the Big 3
Detroit News-- Chrysler: Warns it needs loan to stay in business
Detroit News-- GM: Needs $4B in December to stay afloat
Detroit News-- Ford: Seeks line of credit, just in case
Detroit News-- UAW leaders to discuss further cuts
Detroit News-- Situation is far worse than we thought
Detroit News-- Granholm: Stimulus lessens need for cuts
Detroit Free Press-- Automakers raise request to $34 billion
Detroit Free Press-- UAW leaders to consider cutbacks Wednesday
Detroit Free Press-- Numbers prove it: Time running short for Congress to act
Detroit Free Press-- U.S. automotive jobs 101
National Post-- Bailout or bust time for U.S. automakers
Globe and Mail-- Detroit Three plead for lifeline
Guardian.co.uk-- The road to ruin