The Golden Age of Flight Attendants
A new book documents the evolution of stewardesses from registered nurses to starlets in the sky.
- By Bruce McAllister and Stephan Wilkinson
- AirSpaceMag.com, September 18, 2012
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Comments (15)
TWA did not call their cabin attendants stewardesses, but Air Hostesses. I was one from 1956 to 19971. TWA was the only US airline which used the 'hostess' designation.
Posted by Carol Greer on September 22,2012 | 11:11 AM
I would also recommend the excellent piece " "Who says it's a man's world?" Women's work and travel in the first decades of flight" by Suzanne l. Kolm, present in the also excellent "The airplane in american culture", compiled by Dominick Pisano. The rights and roles of the woman stewardess really shifted after WW II and the "glamour", sexy image, most of us associated with the golden age comes from that period. There was really a fall down in respect and professional treatment after WWII, a position only kind of regained, maybe not fully, after the civil rights and union efforts towards it.
Posted by Ricardo Reis on September 22,2012 | 12:18 PM
And to think most of the Pan American and American Airline stewardesses lived in Jackson Heights, Long Island, NY in the 30's and 40s as their home base. Those were great times for the single man.
Posted by tj on September 22,2012 | 02:56 PM
I worked for TWA (SFO) in 1953. That was a time when everyone dressed for travel...suits, nice dresses, etc. Flight attendants were special. Still are.
Froggy Worden
Posted by Froggy Worden on September 23,2012 | 09:51 AM
I was one of the lucky women to fly during the golden days. I worked for Delta from 1968 thru 2003. My 35 year career was glamorous, exciting and I loved every minute of it. We were treated with respect and compensated very well.Unlike the flight attendants of today.
Posted by Jane Bradshaw on September 24,2012 | 06:37 PM
Ah yes! My airline time starting in1968 was a fine time for airlines. Too bad this industry has fallen. I drive now whenever possible.
Posted by Walt on September 26,2012 | 12:15 PM
I began flying in 1974 thru 1999. Loved my career in the industry and I was treated like gold as a flight attendant. We had more fun and really enjoyed serving the passengers. The crew members I worked with are my life long friends even thought we live miles apart. The industry has changed remarkably but their are still some real flight attendants out there working. They are the smiles you see when you meet them on the airplane. I miss the way it was....
Posted by Patti Martin on September 27,2012 | 05:51 PM
I worked for Pan American in 1954. Pan Am flew only outside the U.S. continental limits....and since that was the age before jets, we "walked" many long miles. It was fun, glamorous, hard work....and we loved it all.
We were always treated with respect, and protected by the rest of the crew. Somehow, these days, it seems the glow is gone......too bad.
Posted by Lee Ann (Lane) Nelson on September 30,2012 | 03:10 PM
Yes, a lot of flight attendants now are mean and nasty. Why?
Posted by Suzy Walker on September 30,2012 | 12:23 AM
I finished college in 1969 and immediately joined TWA as an international flight attendant. (Back in the days when a second language was required!). We offered the passengers a product we were truly proud of in the grand new era of the jumbo jets. Sadly, I saw the writing on the wall when corporate raiders turned their sites on the airlines and left my job in 1987 . My husband (also a TWA'r) still sees many of our airline friends!
Posted by Diane Fox on October 1,2012 | 08:03 AM
I flew for American for two years beginning in 1968! It was a dream come true for someone who had never travelled very much. People did dress up for the flights, there was plenty of room, and service was excellent. (Remember hot scented towels?) I got to see a lot of this wonderful country we live in and would not trade the experience. Now that I have grandchildren, I am an apprehensive flyer! Go figure!!!
Posted by Carol McMahan on October 1,2012 | 02:40 PM
The "golden age" of flight for airline passengers ended when the airlines crammed as many seats as possible into the planes,and stopped serving decent meals.I recently flew to Australia from LAX and in the 14 1/2 hours required for that flight.I have never been as uncomfortable as I was in that plane.Not everyone can afford first class(although I am not sure that would have been much better,only allowing a bit more room and better meals)but upon completion of that flight and the 12 1/2 hour return from New Zealand (under the same crowded conditions),I vowed to never fly again unless absolutely necessary. Those were the 2 worst experiences of my life,and the most tiring. I would love to go again,but never by air.The airlines had better make some changes,because I have talked to many who agree whole-heartedly with my own assessment
Posted by Kenneth Kemper on December 3,2012 | 09:45 PM
I would love to hear from anyone who was a Pan Am hostess in the mid to late sixties. I am writing a book and one of my characters was a hostess with Pan Am in that era.
Posted by Rosemary Sabet on February 5,2013 | 01:14 PM
I am writing a research paper on flight attendants in the late 1950s leading into the 1960s for my grad class, 1960s America. I would love to be pointed in the right direction if anyone has/knows of pictures, or relevant information.
Posted by Lizzie Erickson on February 27,2013 | 03:57 PM