Air Travel Nostalgia

[Schuarta]

It has become true in our lives, that the "good old days of commercial air travel" are something we will never get to experience again. Here are some of my fond memories, what are yours.

1) Travelling once a month NY to LA and return, United Red/White/Blue service. Company paid standard White class service, we could (and did) upgrade to Red (FIRST CLASS) for $25. ;)

2) Travelling once a month NY to LA and return, American Airlines had the piano bar in their early 747 service. I would play for much of the flight and never had to buy a drink. :p

3) Travelling NY to LA at night, the cockpit door usually ajar, being able to get invited in for a while. Coming across the dark southwest plains, approaching Las Vegas and its million lights at night, is an unbelieveable sight from the cockpit. :cool:

[Jerry]

My second flight ever was on a commercial DC3...from Guatemala City to Tikal in 1966...dirt strip and all.
I remember nice 747 flights from Honlulu that had stand up bars.....now a days everyone just dresses like they're going out to dinner in NOLA in the summer.

[LauraMc]

For me, nostalgia would be a flight where there was an open seat next to me.

How big were 747's? Where was the piano?

[PNG]

Are big. They used to be in the area around the stairway up to the second floor. There are still some old movies around showing the interior with the bar and piano.

[Schuarta]

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/12/07/business/650_boeing_2.jpg

Piano Bar in the rear section of American 747.

[buzd]

everyone just dresses like they're going out to dinner in NOLA in the summer.

Sweet.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,296053,00.html

[Admin]

It's piano! It's a bar! NO! You're both right!!! (Check the foot rail on the "piano bar".)

[Bamagirl]

My second flight ever was on a commercial DC3...from Guatemala City to Tikal in 1966...dirt strip and all.
I remember nice 747 flights from Honlulu that had stand up bars.....now a days everyone just dresses like they're going out to dinner in NOLA in the summer.

Not only do the passengers dress terrible but the flight attendants are pitiful. I flew with Eastern Airlines in the early 70's and NEVER would we have been allowed on a flight looking like some of the HAGS that fly today. I cannot believe the airlines tolerate it. We could not have a hair out of place and never could we have flown without makeup and our uniforms in perfect condition. Wow...what has happened to society?

[PNG]

I would not mind if the stewardesses went back to being nice. Even in first class these days, the staff is usually pretty sad.

[globe9]

I know what ya'll are saying about the change in air travel, but I'm sorry, I just don't see the point of getting "dressed up" to sit in a cramped seat after waiting for what seems like hours at the airport(b/c the flight was inevitably delayed). After getting off the plane and to my destination, I always just feel DIRTY and want to take a shower. I'm sorry, but I'm not putting on a nice skirt, blouse, and shoes for that experience. I'll wear my shorts,shirt, and tennis shoes and not feel bad or guilty about it. Someone else can be miserable in a suit and tie or dress.

[Alex]

Air travel used to be a big deal when I was young. People would dress up, one could smoke in designated areas, the booze was flowing, and the flight attendents were on their game.

Now it is more like a flying bus ride.

[flyinbayou]

Not only do the passengers dress terrible but the flight attendants are pitiful. I flew with Eastern Airlines in the early 70's and NEVER would we have been allowed on a flight looking like some of the HAGS that fly today. I cannot believe the airlines tolerate it. We could not have a hair out of place and never could we have flown without makeup and our uniforms in perfect condition. Wow...what has happened to society?


Bamagirl - how do you propose the airlines start discriminating during the hiring process and get away with it, hiring only young, nubile, FEMALE flight attendants?

Give me a valid answer and I will shout your wishes from the highest mountain.

[BTG]

Bamagirl - how do you propose the airlines start discriminating during the hiring process and get away with it, hiring only young, nubile, FEMALE flight attendants?




Recently I stayed at a hotel in Seattle for week that was near the airport and apprantly quite a few of the airlines used this place to put their crew up. It was amazing to see the women from Korean Airlines(I think that was their name).
Their hiring policy must have read like this- At least 5 foot 8, under 125 pounds, good looks, and the ability to fix your hair and make up perfectly every day.
Those women all looked identical.

[Duke]

I used to work in Tuscaloosa (in 1975) and would go back to Dallas fairly often to see a g/f. I could have driven to Birmingham and gotten the easy non-stop, but I found it much more fun to get on the old Southern Airways (in Tuscaloosa). It was a 1950s vintage Convair two-prop job that would leave at 6am (ground fog permitting) and go to...

Birmingham
Mobile
Jackson
Tupelo
New Orleans (lunch! We could get off the plane for an hour!)
Shreveport
Little Rock
Oklahoma City
Dallas

The flight would take like 9 hours. Never more than 5000 feet high. You'd get to know your fellow travelers, like on a bus. And they didn't care if you brought your own booze.

I miss it. Seriously.

[mgbeads]

My job took me to many places from the mid 70's into the 90's. Lots of travel to Asia over the Pacific and then to numerous destinations such as Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Korea, Manila etc. Traveling Business Class was wonderful. Flying over the Pacific on Pan Am and then using Cathy Pacific in Asia. Great flights with lots of perks and gracious and professional flight attendents. When United took aver the Pan Am routes to Asia things started to drop off. But compared to now, they were still great.

Those days will never return. Just like in my parents time the great trains had everyone enjoying travel. Everything changes. Some for the better and some change into problems. Air travel today has become a problem with no solution on the horizon.

[Isabella Maja]

I always just feel DIRTY and want to take a shower. I'm sorry, but I'm not putting on a nice skirt, blouse, and shoes for that experience.


I can relate to the DIRTY feeling after flying & wanting a shower.
I blast that overhead A/C vent on myself & that helps.

Actually, wearing a light summery flowing skirt & a t shirt style pullover & flat sandals are not really bad at all & can be cooler than wearing pants.

However, last time I had on a long flowing skirt, security felt me up pretty good & made me raise my skirt up all the way because of course I might be hiding an uzi under there. Nah, I'm never wearing a skirt again!

[Oyster]

And here are the lovely ladies of Korean Airlines:

http://blog.travelpost.com/wp-content/koreanAir.jpg


Gotta love the Teal!

[Bamagirl]

Bamagirl - how do you propose the airlines start discriminating during the hiring process and get away with it, hiring only young, nubile, FEMALE flight attendants?

Give me a valid answer and I will shout your wishes from the highest mountain.

No, I don't mean that at all. I think that the airlines should have a certain dress code and enforce it whether the employee is black, white, green, purple, man, woman, gay or straight! I never see the pilots looking like they have slept in their uniforms. Some of these attendants are pathetic. The look like they have rolled in an alley before stepping on the plane. Wrinkled uniforms, messy hair and fat hogs that could care less about their appearance.

[ChoWeb]

Bamagirl - how do you propose the airlines start discriminating during the hiring process and get away with it, hiring only young, nubile, FEMALE flight attendants?

Give me a valid answer and I will shout your wishes from the highest mountain.


I imagine if they were going to do it (and I don't think they do..to a point), is that you have to fit in the uniform, just like at Hooters.


For my generation, flying is like riding a bus. Its a means a transport, not an event in and of itself and doesn't deserve the pomp and circumstance of getting dolled up to sit in a cramped cabin four hours with someone's crotchfruit kicking the back of my seat. At this point in time, I'd just be thankful we still have a mostly functional airline industry. What would we do if the whole thing collapsed due to fuel costs? With so many airlines operating in the red now, they are going to have no choice but to drastically increase the prices. Luxury travel will drop off, as well as, I imagine, some business travel as smaller corps will invest in video conferencing rather than sending people on planes. It will be harder to justify the trips to certain cities, even major ones. Midwest just announced it was canceling service to San Diego, Baltimore, and most of Fl. As it is, even on what used to be the cheap airline (Southwest), to fly from El Paso to Baltimore in the middle of the week in October is going to cost at least 500. Sadly, this means I may not get to see my nephew, born last week, until he's walking and talking.

Ok. Rant over. I'm just really bummed I'm not getting to see him. He's my first nephew and adorable in pictures.

[peychaud]

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/12/07/business/650_boeing_2.jpg

Piano Bar in the rear section of American 747.

Where did the in-air wife-swapping take place?

[globe9]

Agree with Cho. I grew up in the 80's and air travel was and still is, for me, just another mode of transportation to get me from point A to point B. It's not an "experience" or anything.

My grandmother used to comment when I was a kid and going on a plane somewhere with her that the class of people flying had really gone downhill since the advent of "low fares". She would say, "Now, even the common people can afford to fly." I don't agree with my grandmother's elitism, but that's who she was and I loved her. That is probably when it went from dressing up and an "occasion" to just transportation.

[cstoehr]

It is a nightmare now trying to fly somewhere. Destinations cancelled, number of flights axed to nearly nothing. My last trip both of my airlines went out of business and I had a heck of a time trying to get where I wanted to go in a good time frame. I imagine it will only get worse.

What happened to the "rules" of hygiene and weight that used to be mandatory for "flight attendents". I understand the age thing being lifted, but I do not think it is wrong to expect them to be able to fit down the aisle without bumping into you along the way. It is bad enough to get hit with the durn cart! I will say the the last couple of guys that were on my plane were much better than the girls both in attitude and attire.

[globe9]

On a recent Southwest flight from Dallas to New Orleans, we had a wonderful male flight attendent who sang The Star Spangled Banner over the speaker system as we took off. At first, I was like, well this is cheesy, but he was VERY good and at the end, everyone clapped. It WAS cheesy, but it was also kinda nice. He was a young African-American male who appeared to be in his early 20's and very clean cut. The other flight attendents were female and were also dressed well and well coiffed. It was a nice flight.

[EatinAintCheatin]

He was a young African-American male who appeared to be in his early 20's and very clean cut.

Didn't someone get called to task for saying somethin' like this before? :whip:

[flyinbayou]

No, I don't mean that at all. I think that the airlines should have a certain dress code and enforce it whether the employee is black, white, green, purple, man, woman, gay or straight. I never see the pilots looking like they have slept in their uniforms. Some of these attendants are pathetic. The look like they have rolled in an alley before stepping on the plane. Wrinkled uniforms, messy hair and fat hogs that could care less about their appearance.

Sure there are dress codes. Still, are you going to be able to fire someone over dress code?? Good luck!
From my perspective the airlines have a better chance terminating an employee over the ability to perform their required job, eg being able to safely and efficiently evacuate an aircraft when needed. That means being able to open the doors, emergency exits, etc. I've seen some older F/A's and out of shape F/A's that cannot even lift their bags into the overheads much less pull a 40lb. emergency exit. And they do weed some out that way but you still set yourself up for a wrongful termination suit if, say a year later when the case comes to court, the employee can perform the required task. Lawyers love to go after big corporations like airlines.

Back to your dress code, perhaps SWA does it right by allowing their F/A's to dress in "casual Friday" attire for their unifom everyday. If you knew how little overnight rest some of these crews get perhaps you may be a little more understanding. But I agree, some individuals should take more personal pride in their appearance. Of course, that statement could apply to many professions.

[flyinbayou]

I imagine if they were going to do it (and I don't think they do..to a point), is that you have to fit in the uniform, just like at Hooters.

Problem is, they make uniforms in all sizes, from petite to ct (circus tent)


I can't wait for the nostalgic days of the Amtrak to return! ;)

[Bamagirl]

Sure there are dress codes. Still, are you going to be able to fire someone over dress code?? Good luck!
From my perspective the airlines have a better chance terminating an employee over the ability to perform their required job, eg being able to safely and efficiently evacuate an aircraft when needed. That means being able to open the doors, emergency exits, etc. I've seen some older F/A's and out of shape F/A's that cannot even lift their bags into the overheads much less pull a 40lb. emergency exit. And they do weed some out that way but you still set yourself up for a wrongful termination suit if, say a year later when the case comes to court, the employee can perform the required task. Lawyers love to go after big corporations like airlines.

Back to your dress code, perhaps SWA does it right by allowing their F/A's to dress in "casual Friday" attire for their unifom everyday. If you knew how little overnight rest some of these crews get perhaps you may be a little more understanding. But I agree, some individuals should take more personal pride in their appearance. Of course, that statement could apply to many professions.

I am well aware of how sometimes overnight rest is minimal. Dress codes are still part of employment expectations and when a company does not enforce the rules set up at the time of employment they are at fault. If a F/A is grounded at the time they show up looking like slobs they will think twice about it next time. If they aren't flying, they aren't getting paid. As far as rest deprivation....if the crew is THAT deprived of rest they should not be flying anyway.

[PNG]

Recently I stayed at a hotel in Seattle for week that was near the airport and apprantly quite a few of the airlines used this place to put their crew up. It was amazing to see the women from Korean Airlines(I think that was their name).
Their hiring policy must have read like this- At least 5 foot 8, under 125 pounds, good looks, and the ability to fix your hair and make up perfectly every day.
Those women all looked identical.

You should see the stewardesses on Cuba's national airline. They pick them tall and beautiful. Quantas usually has very attractive women too.

[globe9]

Didn't someone get called to task for saying somethin' like this before? :whip:

Sorry, didn't mean anything by it...just that he was dressed appropriately--pants were ironed, shirts were tucked in. He didn't look like a slob or like he had slept in his clothes.

How come though someone can mention the race of other airline attendants on other airlines such as Asians and how they were all tall and beautiful? I'm not saying that is wrong btw, I don't care. I just think people are too sensitive about stuff these days. I didn't think I'd be "called to task" for describing the very pleasant gentleman and his great singing voice.

[flyinbayou]

I am well aware of how sometimes overnight rest is minimal. Dress codes are still part of employment expectations and when a company does not enforce the rules set up at the time of employment they are at fault. If a F/A is grounded at the time they show up looking like slobs they will think twice about it next time. If they aren't flying, they aren't getting paid. As far as rest deprivation....if the crew is THAT deprived of rest they should not be flying anyway.

Bama, I mostly agree with you on your issues. What may make sense to you isn't always real world practical though.

I hate to use up any more of this thread with the dress code issue. Feel free to PM me if you want to ask me more questions.

[Schuarta]

I can't wait for the nostalgic days of the Amtrak to return! ;)

It has. Check out these trips! Pricey, but very nice. ;) Great food. :p

http://www.americanorientexpress.com/

[EatinAintCheatin]

Sorry, didn't mean anything by it...just that he was dressed appropriately--pants were ironed, shirts were tucked in. He didn't look like a slob or like he had slept in his clothes.

How come though someone can mention the race of other airline attendants on other airlines such as Asians and how they were all tall and beautiful? I'm not saying that is wrong btw, I don't care. I just think people are too sensitive about stuff these days. I didn't think I'd be "called to task" for describing the very pleasant gentleman and his great singing voice.

Globe9,

It was just a tongue-in-cheek comment meant only to show how easy it is to misinterpret one's words or intent. Just ask ToddMa when, on TOB, he used the term "You People" and it was incorrectly applied to one race....which is not even close to his intention in the context it was used.

I wasn't trying to "call to task" anything or anyone other than oversensitivity.

EAC

[globe9]

Globe9,

It was just a tongue-in-cheek comment meant only to show how easy it is to misinterpret one's words or intent. Just ask ToddMa when, on TOB, he used the term "You People" and it was incorrectly applied to one race....which is not even close to his intention in the context it was used.

I wasn't trying to "call to task" anything or anyone other than oversensitivity.

EAC

Thanks for clearing that up Eatin'...you just never know these days though. I hate trying to be P.C. all the time. Oh, and I know about ToddMa and "you people". What a bunch of morons "those people" are over there LOL

[cstoehr]

Thanks for clearing that up Eatin'...you just never know these days though. I hate trying to be P.C. all the time. Oh, and I know about ToddMa and "you people". What a bunch of morons "those people" are over there LOL



:whip: is always a good indication to me of good natured jab. I also blame everyone going overboard with PC. Get over it. Life is not always PC. Just need good old common sense.

[Oyster]

:whip: is always a good indication to me of good natured jab. I also blame everyone going overboard with PC. Get over it. Life is not always PC. Just need good old common sense.


Great post cstoehr!!!!

:whip: