![United Airlines Stewardesses [1968]](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8085/8490274506_efc1687f17_z.jpg)
Courtesy San Diego Air & Space Museum
And security was taken care of at the gate, no shoe removal required. Flight attendants were called stewardesses, which at the time made sense because the term Steward was given to service personnel who took care of the traveler. Many facets of air travel have changed; while I would never consider taking a “short hop” flight to places like Spokane or Portland from Seattle, because it would take me longer to get through security than it would to fly there. While to the younger segments of our society this is standard, many of us remember when air travel was kinder on the soul.
Bad Apples who wanted to do us harm changed all that.
The fact remains that flying was once glamorous and fun, especially during the 1960s glory days. It was the closest thing to space most of us would ever see. Rarely was a motto so accurate: The Friendly Skies. I still love flying, just not at the same levels as I did at 14. I’m still amazed that a huge metal tube can hurl through thin air without falling. Goofy me: I still love looking out the window at the passing Earth below.
While the golden age of air travel may be long past, it lives on with vibrance in an unexpected place: Pinterest. In the past year I have found more airline, airliner, and flight crew photos on Pinterest than anywhere else. It’s clear that people have a love for the style and feeling of the age, which embodied a sense of hope for air travel’s future that was seemingly quelled when hijackers started ruining the trips.
So today, thanks to the Internet, we can continue flying The Friendly Skies. Shoe removal not required.
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February 20, 2013
BelRedRoad
5 responses to “The Friendly Skies [1968]”
jesusknowsmyname
February 20th, 2013 at 13:23
My mother used to drop my best friend and I off at the STL I’nt airport to ‘play’. We could go outside and watch the baggage loaded, and down to the departing gate to watch passengers arrive and depart. No security, no check points, no nuttin’. This was late 1960′s, early 70′s. We were around 15-16 years old. We found it exciting. I can’t believe she let us do that.
BelRedRoad
February 20th, 2013 at 13:39
Amazing! It’s like being able to play around a lumber mill or police station.
jesusknowsmyname
February 20th, 2013 at 14:50
LOL!!! This is the same woman who let me ride my bike along a 4-lane Interstate Highway at the age of twelve! Years later, she and I laughed about it! (My mom was awesome and so much fun!)
TIA INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
February 20th, 2013 at 17:15
I enjoyed reading this entry as I can relate to many of the points raised. Air travel used to be a lot of fun, and I remember passengers themselves used to dress very spiffy and classy for the ride. As a kid growing up in the early 80s, I remember the crew always made a point of letting children (especially those flying alone) visit the captain and crew in the cockpit before taking off. For a little boy like myself, it was the most amazing thing one could see for a period of two or three minutes — all the lights, knobs, triggers, etc. The stewardess would always give me and the other kids a pin or badge that was the current logo or emblem of the airline. It was a great souvenir to remember the experience. An unfortunate reality that does happier days are long gone.
Even in my 30s, I still request for window seats and also enjoy (and frequently photograph) the world moving below. Air travel is definitely not as fun or enjoyable as it was in earlier eras, but I thank you for providing the memory and nostalgia of a more innocent time.
BelRedRoad
February 20th, 2013 at 18:54
Tosin those are some great memories to have! I also got to see the inside of a cockpit a few times. My sons love the look and size of the jets, but the sense of wonder that you and I experienced is – like you say – long gone.
Glad you liked the post!