American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess

"American Airlines Douglas DC-6"-1950

2013-02-24T10:42:00.001-08:00

American Airlines Douglas DC-7 Mercury JFK-LAX Part 3

2013-02-24T10:29:00.001-08:00

American Airlines Douglas DC-7 Mercury JFK-LAX Part 2

2013-02-24T10:26:00.001-08:00

BOEING PROMO FILM: "707: YEAR ONE" (1959)(PART 1)

2013-02-24T10:10:00.001-08:00

American Airlines Douglas DC-7 Mercury JFK-LAX Part 1

2013-02-24T09:59:00.001-08:00

2012-12-14T08:23:00.002-08:00

http://www.thisdayinaviation.com/?p=184

A TRIP BACK IN TIME WITH BOEING AIRCRAFT (playlist)

2012-12-14T07:54:00.001-08:00

American Airlines Boeing 707 at the LAX hangar

2012-12-13T19:39:00.001-08:00

Calling "STEWARDESSES" for a flying reflection

2012-08-16T13:30:00.003-07:00

After a few years of other projects on my plate, I am editing and adding to my book. I plan to have it printed by Jan. 2013. This is not a project to fund my old age. My desire is to share a time in history that is fast being forgotten. It must be reality not an illusion.
It will be exciting with the additions which I hope will include you.

If you flew in the 50s or 60s as a pilot, stewardess, passenger or ground service, I would really like to include a reflection from you. This is not just about me! It is about American Airlines with their well trained Stewardesses with a history of dedication and commitment to an industry that was exciting to step into from props to jets.

Please let me hear from you! argie.ella@gmail.com or reply with a comment.

2012-08-12T09:14:00.001-07:00

Sue Meyers sent this writing to me. Sue is a flight attendant for American Airlines, and I thank you Sue for your willingness to share.

THIS IS A MUST READ – FROM BEGINNING to END.....

IT WILL RENEW YOUR FAITH IN PEOPLE.

Flight on Delta from Frankfurt to CA on 9/11 – written by one of the Flight Attendants...

-----------------------------------

Begin forwarded message:

A long read but well worth it.

First time I've read this and it's inspiring.

From a retired Delta Employee. An interesting story about one flight during September 11th.

Amazing Story of Delta Flight 15 Written by a flight attendant.

On the morning of Tuesday, September 11, we were about 5 hours out of Frankfurt, flying over the North Atlantic . All of a sudden the curtains parted and I was told to go to the cockpit, immediately, to see the captain. As soon as I got there I noticed that the crew had that "All Business" look on their faces. The captain handed me a printed message. It was from Delta's main office in Atlanta and simply read, "All airways over the Continental United States are closed to commercial air traffic. Land ASAP at the nearest airport. Advise

destination."

No one said a word about what this could mean. We knew it was a serious situation and we needed to find terra firma quickly. The captain determined that the nearest airport was 400 miles behind us in Gander , New Foundland. He requested approval for a route change from the Canadian traffic controller and approval was granted immediately--no questions asked. We found out later, of course, why there was no hesitation in approving our request.

While the flight crew prepared the airplane for landing, another message arrived from Atlanta telling us about some terrorist activity in the New York area. A few minutes later word came in about the hijackings.

We decided to LIE to the passengers while we were still in the air. We told them the plane had a simple instrument problem and that we needed to land at the nearest airport in Gander , New Foundland to have it checked out.

We promised to give more information after landing in Gander . There was much grumbling among the passengers, but that's nothing new! Forty minutes later, we landed in Gander . Local time at Gander was 12:30 PM! . . .. that's 11:00 AM EST.

There were already about 20 other airplanes on the ground from all over the world that had taken this detour on their way to the U.S.

After we parked on the ramp, the captain made the following announcement: "Ladies and gentlemen, you must be wondering if all these airplanes around us have the same instrument problem as we have. The reality is that we are here for another reason." Then he went on to explain the little bit we knew about the situation in the U.S. There were loud gasps and stares of disbelief. The captain informed passengers that Ground control in Gander told us to stay put.

The Canadian Government was in charge of our situation and no one was allowed to get off the aircraft. No one on the ground was allowed to come near any of the aircrafts. Only airport police would come around periodically, look us over and go on to the next airplane. In the next hour or so more planes landed and Gander ended up with 53 airplanes from all over the world, 27 of which were U.S. commercial jets.

Meanwhile, bits of news started to come in over the aircraft radio and for the first time we learned that airplanes were flown into the World Trade Center in New York and into the Pentagon in DC. People were trying to use their cell phones, but were unable to connect due to a different cell system in Canada . Some did get through, but were only able to get to the Canadian operator who would tell them that the lines to the U.S. were either blocked or jammed.

Sometime in the evening the news filtered to us that the World Trade Center buildings had collapsed and that a fourth hijacking had resulted in a crash. By now the passengers were emotionally and physically exhausted, not to mention frightened, but everyone stayed amazingly calm. We had only to look out the window at the 52 other stranded aircraft to realize that we were not the only ones in this predicament.

We had been told earlier that they would be allowing people off the planes one plane at a time. At 6 PM, Gander airport told us that our turn to deplane would be 11 am the next morning. Passengers were not happy, but they simply resigned themselves to this news without much noise and started to prepare themselves to spend the night on the airplane.

Gander had promised us medical attention, if needed, water, and lavatory servicing. And they were true to their word. Fortunately we had no medical situations to worry about. We did have a young lady who was
33 weeks into her pregnancy. We took REALLY good care of her. The night passed without incident despite the uncomfortable sleeping arrangements.

About 10:30 on the morning of the 12th a convoy of school buses showed up. We got off the plane and were taken to the terminal where we went through Immigration and Customs and then had to register with the Red Cross.

After that we (the crew) were separated from the passengers and were taken in vans to a small hotel. We had no idea where our passengers were going. We learned from the Red Cross that the town of Gander has a population of
10,400 people and they had about 10,500 passengers to take care of from all the airplanes that were forced into Gander ! We were told to just relax at the hotel and we would be contacted when the U.S. airports opened again, but not to expect that call for a while.

We found out the total scope of the terror back home only after getting to our hotel and turning on the TV . . . 24 hours after it all started.

Meanwhile, we had lots of time on our hands and found that the people of Gander were extremely friendly. They started calling us the "plane people." We enjoyed their hospitality, explored the town of Gander and ended up having a pretty good time.

Two days later, we got that call and were taken back to the Gander airport. Back on the plane, we were reunited with the passengers and found out what they had been doing for the past two days. What we found out was incredible.

Gander and all the surrounding communities (within about a
75 Kilometer radius) had closed all high schools, meeting halls, lodges, and any other large gathering places. They converted all these facilities to mass lodging areas for all the stranded travelers. Some had cots set up, some had mats with sleeping bags and pillows set up.

ALL high school students were required to volunteer their time to take care of the "guests." Our 218 passengers ended up in a town called Lewisporte, about 45 kilometers from Gander where they were put up in a high school. If any women wanted to be in a women-only facility, that was arranged. Families were kept together. All the elderly passengers were taken to private homes.

Remember that young pregnant lady? She was put up in a private home right across the street from a 24-hour Urgent Care facility. There was a dentist on call and both male and female nurses remained with the crowd for the duration.

Phone calls and e-mails to the U.S. and around the world were available to everyone once a day. During the day, passengers were offered "Excursion" trips. Some people went on boat cruises of the lakes and harbors. Some went for hikes in the local forests. Local bakeries stayed open to make fresh bread for the guests. Food was prepared by all the residents and brought to the schools. People were driven to restaurants of their choice and offered wonderful meals. Everyone was given tokens for local laundry mats to wash their clothes, since luggage was still on the aircraft. In other words, every single need was met for those stranded travelers.

Passengers were crying while telling us these stories. Finally, when they were told that U.S. airports had reopened, they were delivered to the airport right on time and without a single passenger missing or late. The local Red Cross had all the information about the whereabouts of each and every passenger and knew which plane they needed to be on and when all the planes were leaving. They coordinated everything beautifully. It was absolutely incredible

.

When passengers came on board, it was like they had been on a cruise. Everyone knew each other by name. They were swapping stories of their stay, impressing each other with who had the better time. Our flight back to Atlanta looked like a chartered party flight. The crew just stayed out of their way. It was mind-boggling. Passengers had totally bonded and were calling each other by their first names, exchanging phone numbers, addresses, and email addresses.

And then a very unusual thing happened. One of our passengers approached me and asked if he could make an announcement over the PA system. We never, ever allow that.. But this time was different. I said "of course" and handed him the mike. He picked up the PA and reminded everyone about what they had just gone through in the last few days. He reminded them of the hospitality they had received at the hands of total strangers. He continued by saying that he would like to do something in return for the good folks of Lewisporte.

He said he was going to set up a Trust Fund under the name of DELTA 15
(our flight number). The purpose of the trust fund is to provide college scholarships for the high school students of Lewisporte. He asked for donations of any amount from his fellow travelers. When the paper with donations got back to us with the amounts, names, phone numbers and addresses, the total was for more than 14,000 dollars!

The gentleman, a MD from Virginia , promised to match the donations and to start the administrative work on the scholarship. He also said that he would forward this proposal to Delta Corporate and ask them to donate as well.

I just wanted to share this story because we need good stories right now. It gives me a little bit of hope to know that some people in a far away place were kind to some strangers who literally dropped in on them. It reminds me how much good there is in the world.

Trust in the Lord today!

Another mail from Sue, and again Thank You.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd4gAHmRJWo

Have a Happy Heart!

AMERICAN AIRLINES BOEING 707

2011-07-20T21:27:00.001-07:00

America marks half a century jetting cross country - Left Field

2011-05-04T22:13:00.000-07:00

America marks half a century jetting cross country - Left Field

Elizabeth Taylor

2011-03-23T15:58:00.000-07:00

As I sit here thinking about life, I am reminded that my life has always known the fine acting of the beautiful Elizabeth Taylor. She is four years my senior. The first movie that I remember and loved was "National Velvet" which nurtured a love for horses that remains in my heart. Another movie was "Little Women" with the history that threaded through my own family history and a desire to know more about that given period of time. "Raintree County" turned on the emotions of love and tenderness. While I was flying as a stewardess in the '50s, I was aware of her continued skill as an actress and always wished that she had been on one of my flights. It is with gratitude and appreciation from my heart that I have experienced and enjoyed Elizabeth Taylor as she contributed in the field of acting during the period of time in which I have lived.

American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess: American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess: MORE THAN A TICKET

2011-01-26T06:16:00.000-08:00

American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess: American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess: MORE THAN A TICKET

American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess: MORE THAN A TICKET

2011-01-25T21:21:00.000-08:00

American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess: MORE THAN A TICKET

MORE THAN A TICKET

2011-01-25T17:24:00.000-08:00

An exciting day for Jet travel . . . January 25, 1959 Today is the 52nd anniversary of American Airlines' Inaugural Jet Flight which was from Los Angeles to New York City and return.

Today, as I reminisce about the excitement of that historic day, I feel the same emotions fill my soul with the pleasure of having the opportunity of flying with American Airlines. The blog I started two years ago, "American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess" has had over 4000 hits in the last eight months, when I started keeping track of such things. At some point along the way, I was encouraged by others to convert my blog into a book. This I have now done. It is entitled More Than A Ticket and was printed by a University Press. At the request of the American Airlines KIWI Club, I sent a copy for their archives. A second copy was donated to the KIWI Club auction which was held at their convention in 2010. I'm sure it sold for several zillion $ but don't know the exact figure. Here's a picture of the book.

MORE THAN A TICKET

by Argie Hoskins

FROM PROPS TO JETS

Now that my blog has morphed into a book, I'm in the process of editing the book back into my blog, so I'll add a bit at a time. It will incorporate most of what has appeared on my blog from its inception until today's date, but in a much more attractive format as well as with more detail and many more photos. I'm adding the first segment of the book today, in celebration of the 52nd anniversary of that first commercial jet flight in American Airlines' Boeing 707 with Captain Macatee.

I thank John (Jock) Bethune for his untiring and touching efforts in keeping American Airlines history alive. American is American because of the people it serves and the way it serves the people. American Airlines Doing What We Do Best

For more details about purchasing "MORE THAN A TICKET" contact Argie Hoskins. I will sell through PayPal.

LIFE AS A STEWARDESS

Argie with long hair before Stewardess School with her brother C. L. Hoskins

Leaving home, Argie and C. L. picked up their suitcases and went their separate ways. "Sister" went one way and "Brother" another into an unknown world.

Our journey took us away from rattlesnakes, horned toads, the warmth of a gas heater and Mama's home cooking with its steaks from range fed cattle, cakes from scratch and homemade ice cream. My restless spirit said, "Go!" from our home in Animas Valley, New Mexico. It was hard to leave a small five room (two adobe) home without electricity, and raw milk to drink, I wanted to go! And step by step I made my way to the big city: "Chicago, Chicago,” many people's hometown. Tears and smiles.

First step was to El Paso to live with my mother's sister Aunt Boo, who was like a sister to me. Uncle Bill and Aunt Boo, along with cousins Effie and Freddie, supported me while I was working for El Paso Natural Gas Company. One day, a friend with whom I was working suggested that I would be a likely candidate for becoming a stewardess. To become a stewardess? Now, that was a novel idea. I was afraid of flying and what's more, afraid of heights. As a child, after running or other rigorous activities, I would faint on the playground. Having had a dizziness challenge, the dream of flying was "pie in the sky," as my mother would say. My dad said that my “itchy” feet had sprouted wings. The closest that I had ever gotten to a plane was while visiting my grandparents in El Paso. As a small child, while playing on the patches of lawn with my dolls, I would hear and watch the Ft. Bliss Warbirds fly over the yard. The sound droned across the sky. Those planes seemed so remote to me.

For a young lady being a stewardess was a sought after job. The job market was very competitive. Filmmakers and novelists had encouraged the wanderlust and want for glamour in the American Girl. I had heard of her poise and charm. Here was a chance to see the world, while meeting all kinds of interesting people, including passengers who could afford to be pampered. In turn, the stewardess would be rewarded with the attention of a celebrity. All this was depicted in an American Airlines' advertisement. Being a stewardess and serving in a fashionable manner was a desirable goal for a young lady of my time. I had been trained by my mother and grandmother to be a lady. In the sky would be a good place to be one. It appealed to my femininity. Sounded good to me.

After a draining interview with American Airlines, I sat in the terminal at Amon Carter Field,
Ft. Worth, Texas, waiting for my flight and thinking, "Well, at least, when I looked in the mirror, I did look sorta cute in the cap the interviewer had me try on, and I really do like to visit with people.” Thinking that I had failed the interview, I felt a wave of sadness wash over me. I prayed to the Heavens above that whatever happened would be for the best.

This telegram beat me back to El Paso

My hands still tremble with excitement! Some would say it is old age, but I know the tears of joy are not old age, as I ponder this telegram. That moment changed my life. My family was so excited when they picked me up at the El Paso Airport! This would be the airport into which I would most frequently fly, either as a destination or a stop along the way. On that evening, little did I know that I was about to embark on a journey that would challenge me intellectually and emotionally while learning a lot about myself. Dare I?

I didn't know that in the future, I would be thrilled by glorious southwest sunsets and powerful thunderstorms that would rock the plane this way and that as the route took us through huge puffy clouds with sudden drops in altitude. The southern part of New Mexico is where I found the power of nature is amazingly stated. New Mexico, The Land of Enchantment, was graced with beauty both on the land and in the sky. My home!

Class 57-6, 1957

These pretty faces were faces of tired, enthusiastic and very smart young ladies who were pushed and pushed again to learn all that was required to be the "best of the best" as American Airline stewardesses. What a privilege!

American Airlines' Chicago hangar at Midway Airport housed the Stewardess College when I attended the school in April and May of 1957. Later that same year, the world's first facility for flight attendant training, the American Airlines Stewardess College, was built in Dallas/Fort Worth. Before this outstanding event, the College was in a hangar at Midway field. Chicago Midway International is located on the city's southwest side, eight miles from Chicago's Loop. It is in the area of 55th Street and Cicero Avenue. This was the setting for Alfred Hitchcock's movie, "North by Northwest" starring Cary Grant. Incidentally, both of these gentlemen flew on flights with me. Yes, this is where I went to school.

Becoming a stewardess with American Airlines meant that I had to, and I mean had to, study, memorize and role play what I learned and be tested on the same. This was done in fighter pilot mode with full throttle ahead. Oh, yes, the fear of washing out and going back home with egg on my face and an ocean of tears in my heart was the pressure I felt. Along with the fear of failure and the excitement of becoming what I desired and expected was my challenge in that hangar at the Midway Airport in Chicago. Day after day, night after night, I groomed myself for that eventful day of graduation.

One of the students, in that hangar was Polly. We have become friends forever and ever. We understood what it was like on both sunny and rainy days in that hangar. The rigors and determination paid off as we journeyed to build character to sustain us through the “growing experiences” of life. The lessons of commitment, loyalty, and completing the task at hand were learned when the eggs needed to be gathered and the chickens needed to be fed. Even when you are discouraged, “Get out of bed and amount to something!” We did it! Hallelujah!

Thanks for the memories. It is great to revisit moments in the hangar with exhaust smells from the runway as planes took off, not to forget the smell of the rain on the tarmac. While coming and going from the hangar with rain pouring on my head I learned what the word inclement weather meant. I ponder and am grateful for hard times, good times and times forgotten. I cannot remember everything. What I remember is worth remembering.

Becoming a stewardess was not an easy experience for me. Having finished two years of college, I never had experienced the rigors of education such as I encountered in that hangar. Learn it fast, now, and don't forget! Learning all the Stewardess Manual stuff was hard – such as Administrative Procedures, Basic Procedures, Restrictions and Irregularities, Convair Procedures, DC-6 Procedures, DC-7 Procedures and later Boeing 707 Jet Procedures. Along with all this, there was a section on Special Procedures, Emergency Procedures, Oxygen, Illness and Injuries, Forms and Reports, and of course, the Reference Material. Each of these topics, with the emotional trauma of learning it well, fast, and applying the concepts in a professional manner, could fill a book.

AMERICAN AIRLINES STEWARDESS EMERGENCY TRAINING 1957-1959
Honestly, I had the foundation for learning and applying the skills needed for Emergency Training. I am amazed at my metamorphic change from caterpillar to butterfly. What does this have to do with me and Emergency Training? The caterpillar evolves step by step. As I ponder my training as a stewardess and the "me" who emerged from the training, it was all good. For the successful handling of any emergency, it was important to know the task and how to do it on an automatic level and depend on my knowledge and skill with no guess work. Wow! I needed to learn sooo much. As Daddy “Al” Hoskins said, “ This is the task that needs to be done, this is what I am going to do, this is what you are going to do. Now be careful.” And good old American Airlines picked me, Argie Hoskins, because they knew I could do it! Now to get rid of the self doubts and have confidence inside of me. Along the way something really great happened, I found in me, a new me. Not only did I know the procedures, but knew there was no substitute for good judgment. You can't learn everything from a book. Always have in mind plan "A" and plan "B" for survival. Later, as a school teacher, we had workshops on "thinking outside the box." I realized that I had been thinking outside the box for years and years.
My first Emergency Training was focused on DC-6, DC-6B, DC-6 Coach, DC-7, DC-7 Coach, DC-7 Dual Service, and the Convair. The Emergency Equipment: EXITS and how to open the window exits from inside, and in some cases, the outside of the aircraft. ROPES were located in exit windows and doors of certain aircraft. EVACUATION SLIDES were stored on the cabin doors. The lounge exit had a slide. It was fun to practice our skills while overcoming fear. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS were located in various locations on the several aircraft. OXYGEN cylinder, outlets and walk-around bottles were strategically placed. FLASHLIGHTS were on some aircraft. EMERGENCY LIGHTS replaced flashlights on all aircraft. We always checked the SERVICE KIT which contained First Aid Equipment. We were trained to remember to take the SERVICE KIT with us if we evacuated. We didn't have the theme band-aids that children plaster all over themselves these days. That would have been an interesting demand. A FIRE AXE was located on the forward side of the cockpit door on all aircraft. FIRE DETECTORS, EXTINGUISHING EQUIPMENT and FLOTATION SEAT CUSHIONS were on some aircraft.

This is a statement from my American Airlines Manual: "The successful handling of any emergency aboard an aircraft depends to a large degree on you and your knowledge. There is never an emergency in which there isn't something you can do to help. Safe procedures require a cool head. The ability to think straight and operate calmly requires knowledge of what to do.”
There is no substitute for good judgment. If an emergency occurs, Stewardesses are assigned specific responsibilities. If the specific location of the First Stewardess makes it difficult or time consuming to accomplish her duties as outlined, then good judgment should dictate that she carry out the Second Stewardess' duties and vice - versa. The Second Stewardess under such conditions should take her cue from the First Stewardess.

Now the task for me was to know what responsibilities were assigned to the First Stewardess and Second Stewardess. I felt that I could do both at the same time. That has been my challenge; I think that I can do it all, but I can't! I must be in charge of my stewardship and others must be committed to their stewardship. In case of an emergency, I must know what I can do and do it! Don't expect someone else to solve the problems that I must handle.

The kind of emergency situations that I was trained for back in the 1950's were varied. A“Belly Landing” was when the gear would not come down. This was not very different from a normal landing, however, there was the possibility of the shock from the hard landing being different, depending on whether the nose or the tail hit first. The Captain would announce which landing configuration to expect. Our job was to be prepared for any eventuality. I remember the advice from stewardess school was to inform the passengers to relieve their bladders so that on impact the bladder would not burst. I never found that in the manual, but thought it was a good idea. Along with that idea was the use of the pillows and the position of the body on impact. Nose wheel up, main gear down, will finally position the aircraft with its nose down and tail up!    This position business of landing was hard for me because of the sequencing challenge in my brain. Up, down, down, up! Concepts had to be over learned!

From data presented in school, I felt comforted that American Airline was the best for their concern and training for emergency procedures. I would do it all over again for American.

* KNOW YOUR PROCEDURES

* USE GOOD JUDGMENT (Now called SOUND JUDGMENT)

*KEEP COOL

Step by step, day by day, I knew that I was driven to graduate from the school on the south side of Chicago. While in training, I was told by an instructress that I was shy and didn't talk much. She concluded by reassuring me that I was going to make it. I was always afraid that I was going to washout, which meant to get my walking papers. Oh, help!

From the rural area of southern New Mexico, I well remember the first time I walked down the streets of Chicago. Surreal! Where on earth were the open spaces of Animas Valley and Cotton City? Going to church, riding the subway and the elevated rail, was an awesome awakening. I saw laundry hanging outside apartments as we flew by “flats” on the elevated train or "L" as it was called. I will never forget the face of a child looking out a window as our eyes met, never to meet again, and thinking, "Oh, I am so glad that I grew up in southwestern New Mexico.” To this day, I can feel the emotions of that brief moment, Thank you, Mother and Daddy, for the life of “don't fence me in.”

One Sunday, riding back to the hangar from church, looking out the window of the subway, the "L", and then the bus, I missed my exit. The bus driver announced, "End of line." It was dark and I had no idea where I was. The driver was helpful enough to direct me to a bar around the corner for a phone. The bar man said, "Use the phone outside." I had no idea who to call, where to go, or what to do and, can you believe, very little money. All I knew was that I was on the south side of Chicago and my parents would be worried if they knew anything about me being on the south side of Chicago, at night! On a very low level of awareness I knew of gangs. To make things worse, the day was a cold April day, and night was even more biting, to which one of my new friends at the hangar had responded by insisting that I borrow her fur or fur-looking full length coat.

Here I stood in the cold night in front of a bar not knowing what to do. No transportation to the airport hangar, no money for a taxi, and young and pretty in a fur coat. You guessed it! I prayed in my Catholic friend's fur coat. A car stopped with several people in it. I couldn't tell but it looked somewhat like a family. Thanks to above, they took me to the airport and dropped me off without engaging in much conversation. Wherever you are, THANK YOU!

Later, I became familiar with the transportation system of Chicago. My first apartment was on Wrightwood Avenue, north of the Loop. From Wrightwood Avenue, I took a trolley car to the Midway Airport to catch my plane. Boarding the trolley in front of a Chinese laundry, where interesting foreign looking people gathered to have conversation, my curiosity of a new world was spiked with questions. Reaching across cultures, my eyes and my heart opened.

I did not spend every minute training in the hangar. I had to do certain things to look as attractive as possible. One of them was to find the person who was to fit my uniform. What a nightmare for me to figure out how to get to the tailor for uniform fittings. Learning how to get from the hangar to Washington Street and back, again, was a challenge for my sequencing deficit. That was not easy. I will never forget that gentle man, Mr. Colangelo, when phone numbers were easy for me to remember. “I'm lost.”

Another "funny" like learning to mix drinks, I had never tasted the fruit of the art of mixing. Wow! I seemed to catch on faster than most. Figure that! Martinis and Manhattans. Can't remember which has an olive? And which the cherry? I think the Martinis have the olive and Manhattans, the cherry. Oh, well, I never indulged anyway because it didn't make sense to me.

Another experience that comes to my mind was the need to know how to find the rope in the exit windows then pull it on to the wing and down to the ground with me hanging on to the rope.
I did it! This is when I learned the difference between “knowing and doing.” Another “doing” was the courage I had to find to control my heart and my mind and JUMP! Yes, out the door and down the evacuation slide! I did it! I still get dizzy when I ride an escalator going down. The escalator moves, the slide didn't! I remember that thrill as if it were this very day. Sometimes I dream of the excitement. How could I, with all my learning challenges, be successful at these things that were difficult for some? These gals were courageous. They set aside their fears and forged on through their tears.

When graduation time came and the company's needs were analyzed as to where stewardesses were needed, assignments were announced. When our base assignments were announced, some were disappointed and there were great big tears because the placement assignment did not meet the expectation while others were elated! Some didn't really care. I remember one, crying, yelling and trying everything she knew to persuade the system to change its mind and re-assign. It didn't work. That was part of the deal, go where you were needed. Didn't we know that when we signed on the dotted line? Well, at last I am in Chicago to stay. This is what I wanted, however, Los Angeles would have been better because one of my old sweethearts was living there. I really wanted to see him. You know what the heart does to the emotions. Gets you all crazy. I was immersed in the view of the world that I was experiencing, so Chicago was just fine.

Trained at the historical Midway Airport, "Crossroads of the World," the world's busiest airport where we had been very busy, also. Graduation was held at 4th and Halstead at the historical Stock Yard Inn, Four Seasons room at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday May 21st, 1957. That was an event! Aren't we lovely ladies? Here we are with our styled hair, dressed in our new brown uniforms and spectator pumps. The spectator is coming back into style. I am glad because I like the two-tone look.

Class of 57 - 6 1957

Mildred Jackson interviewed 28,000 young ladies in 1956 and hired 691 of them for American Airlines Stewardess School.

And here! An important paper that said,

"successfully completed" and signed by Mildred Jackson (Millie) along with C. R. Smith and the tremendous instructors. Hallelujah and Hallelujah, again!

Ellie Roman, Connie Rutkowski, Chris Debraggio

In the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette of December 17, 1957, it was reported that Mildred Jackson, the Director of Stewardesses and Customer Service said, “Airline Stewardesses make perfect wives but they all do not wed rich passengers or handsome pilots. I don't know how you can tell a wealthy passenger.”

In school we learned to take care of people, including the irate passenger, which make stewardesses practically perfect wives, Miss Jackson revealed. She said a survey had shown that stewardesses have the lowest divorce rate among former working girls. The day she told us this, it was reassuring but it didn't work for me. I remembered the words of Millie when I signed my divorce papers. Why me!

“It's not all glamour,” said the glamorous Miss Jackson. “You have crazy hours, sometimes up at 4:00 am and you work Sundays, Christmas, and New Year's unless you can trip trade. After walking from coast to coast, your feet hurt.”

These photos are contributed by Martha Mason, niece of Mildred Jackson. Martha, thank you for your generous contribution.

Mildred Jackson pinning a class

Class of 1953

Center: Mildred Jackson, American Airlines President C. R. Smith

Front row left: President Smith and Miss Jackson

Mildred Jackson and children having fun with Gene Autry, the Singing Cowboy

While Mildred Jackson was not interviewing young ladies, she was involved with public relations.

Argie Hoskins

As I left stewardess training, this is how I looked with short hair. One day a hair stylist came to the school to "fix us up" with a new “hairdo.” WOW! I could not believe what happened to my long, beautiful hair. It was very hard to keep the tears from bursting forth. I had thick, lovely locks and then "no hair." After the “hairdo," the photographer took our pictures to send home to the local newspapers announcing our training success. This smile was the best that I could muster up. Look at the back of the hair.

On the 21st of May 1957, I earned my wings. I was more excited over this pinning than when, a couple of years later, I was pinned by an Annapolis graduate Bob Merritt, who had become a navy pilot.

I met passenger Bob on a flight from Los Angeles to San Diego. After the flight, the A.A. crew had several minutes in the crew lounge before working the trip back to Los Angeles. Captain Clarke said, "Argie, go out and visit with that young man."
Clarke had seen us visiting on the plane. So, I went out to a concession area and there Bob, a jet pilot, was wandering around. We visited, he walked me to the gate and a wonderful relationship began to unfold. Bob and I became more than friends, he was my sweetheart. Crew members watched out for each other. Some of A.A.'s best!

I remember one time when Captain Clarke, Stewardess Jennings, the copilot, flight engineer, and I flew a deadheading flight from El Paso to Los Angeles. Captain Clarke said, "Let's take this flight to Heaven." We were all of the same Faith. Good idea but it didn't work. We had a fun time. Captain Clarke was a wonderful man. There were a lot of really nice crew members. I also remember Captain Kunz and his wife Sally. We, also, had our Faith in common.

I flew into El Paso a lot. During my layovers there, Aunt Boo picked me up at all hours, took me home, doted over me, and took me back to the airport after lots of hugs. I loved it. She would get upset if I didn't bid a flight to El Paso. My favorite cousin Effie and her brother Freddie Scott were young and how I loved them. It was always nice to get a home cooked meal with my favorite fruits. Aunt Boo and I had always been like sisters. She was my mother's only sister. She couldn't have been more excited to have me flying for AA. The rest of the crew stayed at the Hilton Hotel downtown near the Mexican border. That was the first high rise Hilton Hotel.

First month of flying and it could have been a very short career! I boarded the Convair from Chicago to Indianapolis. Never had I seen the Captain or Copilot and I was scared to death.
I was the only stewardess without anyone to help or cue me into the right timetable.

On to the plane in a ladylike, dignified manner I went to check all the necessary things: Service Kit, magazines, special meals, pillows, blankets, where the coats should be hung. I wanted to make the plane, where I was the stewardess, a place someone would like to come back to over and over again. Knowing that I would need to memorize 40 names of passengers in about 40 minutes and serve a meal - my oh my, this was an absolute test in sequencing, multitasking, and time management. Well, I got the names down, but the plane started to descend and I had not served the meal. Running into the cockpit, I was so nervous, I said, "I haven't started to serve the meal." "We are landing," came the voice from the Captain. I felt like jumping out the door. All I could hear was "Get started." In a few minutes, our good humored captain came back and helped me get the food served. The plane was put in a holding pattern to give us time to serve the meal. “We landed!” The pilots got off the plane for a 45 minute layover and I sat on the plane knitting and crying. When the crew came back, the captain brought me a candy bar, smiled, and announced that new passengers were coming. Never had I received such a needed gift. Dear man, and I don't even remember his name. American hired amazing people!

I continued to be on reserve, "on call," and was called to work the Convair again, only one stewardess. Were they trying to "wash me out" with all these "one gal" all alone flights?
Another early awakening was in Lexington, Kentucky. That evening I fell into bed at a small motel forgetting to set my alarm. I hung my uniform on a dresser drawer, showered, curled my hair and went to bed. I had forgotten to set the alarm. BANG, BANG, AND ANOTHER BANG! "Our cab is here!" I threw on my uniform, curlers in my hair, no makeup and teeth not brushed, hurried my red embarrassed face out the door and into a cab. I will never and I mean never forget Lexington, Kentucky. The crew got a good laugh over that one. Looking back I'm glad to have brought them some laughter. At the time, I thought, am I really cut out for this job?

One time, I remember walking into the Stewardess office and being told that the supervising staff needed to take a look. "Wrong color of nail polish!" I quickly took it off and on went the right color. American Airlines Red is what I called it.
My thought yelled in my ears, “Am I ever going to get this thing right?”

Another time with a few pounds over weight, "Argie, do you have a girdle on?"
    “Yes, ma'am, Playtex."
    "Well, you need to lose a few pounds."
I wish I had the same supervision now.

We were proud to be stewardesses for American Airlines. We looked sharp and served with enthusiasm and poise. Friends liked to take photos in those fast, small “walk in and out” booths in shopping places.   Personal cameras were not as plentiful as now.

Time to go West! Westward bound, I put in for a transfer to Los Angeles, leaving Chicago behind. It came through.

Chicago had been exciting for me. A few mornings before I was to leave for Los Angeles, I got up to go grocery shopping to find that my car was not in the place I had parked. I looked and looked again. No car. As I was walking back into the apartment, way down the alley, alas, my car! It was unlocked and no gas. I was so pleased that after the "joy" ride, "Autumn Leaves," my Chevy convertible, had been returned.

I motored from Chicago to St. Louis. After having a flat tire with no money to buy another tire, I decided that I needed to stop for the night. Next morning, I left with no spare tire for the next leg on my journey to Animas, New Mexico. Home, here I come! Driving alone from St. Louis to Las Cruces to spend the next evening with my brother C. L. and his wife Joan was another accomplishment. I arrived there late and thankful that I had a great car, to speed me through the roads of the Midwest to the Southwest. Did I really know what I was doing? Probably not.

Las Cruces is where I had gone to school at New Mexico A&M. I have some really great memories including yelling my lungs out while cowboys played ball on the basketball court. One player was my brother who was on a basketball scholarship. Memories of western dancing, when during the dances, my brother and I would show off our dance routines, learned in the kitchen back at the ranch. The kids at college thought I was going to the dances with two guys. My date would dance with other girls while I was “kicking up a step” with my brother.

After some good conversation, a lot of hugs and a good night's rest, I was determined to check my estimated time of departure and head my wheels on west.

The next day, it was on to Animas Valley to see Mom and Dad.

I had a new appreciation for their simple, honest lives. They were amazed that their little girl had been to the big city and had made her way home, all by herself. Was that ever so nice!

Next week leaving Animas, Mother rode to Los Angeles with me. Now, in Los Angeles and back to work, I knew that my thrill for American Airlines would last. The memories are wired in and they are many, many, so I decided to write them down.

I could not believe that in my heart and mind, I had moved from thinking I could not make it as a stewardess to thinking that I was one of the best. It took a lot of hard work to overcome telling myself that I was a shy, unattractive, dumb nothing with no one caring, and I could add a few expletives that I cannot say or allow myself to think. With these challenges, it was tough. With that being said, the one thing that I had going for me was the "hard work" ethic which had been instilled in me while growing up in a mining camp and on a cattle ranch. I dug in my heels, knocked off the cow "stuff" and "cowboy up" as cowboys would say, viewing myself as the things I wanted to be. After a while, I was the person who I WAS! American Airlines, had challenged me to be “Me.”

I learned that talent is more than dancing, singing, acting, and looking "pretty!" I learned that I had talent for understanding people and their feelings. Knowing their hearts, and expecting nothing of them, they were pleased. I learned from my instructor Chris Debraggio, that you don't ask if someone wants a pillow, you have the pillow in hand to give them. What a powerful lesson! Don't make people ask for your love. Give love without asking for it back. I learned something about me that was rewarding.

My Daddy taught me to keep things in order to accomplish a task; and tasks were done with strict discipline. Obedience to the task was demanded and expected. Daddy's mother was a German lady who understood the nature of success. As a public school teacher, I found that students who had not learned to internalize discipline could not focus and accomplish goals. I am quoting a cowboy friend who worked for Daddy. "Al would tell me what he wanted to get done. He would than tell me what he was going to do, told me what I was going to do and said, 'Now be careful!'" Look at his large hands. A former windmill helper told me that Daddy had to cut the tops of gloves to fit his hands.
November 1951 to August 1966, Daddy worked as a wind-miller for the Victoria Land and Cattle Company's “Diamond A” ranch in Animas Valley, New Mexico. He took his job very seriously. It could be a dangerous venture, climbing up the windmill tower to repair whatever was needed. Thank you Daddy for being an example of hard and conscientious work. Mother used to say, "You are just like your Daddy," and for me that was a compliment. American Airlines expected that same attention to details and to focus on the task and exhibit the same kind of discipline.

I am grateful to my mother Edna for her intuitive soul, hard work and good judgment. She taught me to think outside the box. "Sister, if you cannot do it one way, you can do it another." "Think before you act." "Think of others before yourself." "Do your best!" Thank you, dear Mother. Neither of us is perfect, but we hung in there and kept trying until something worked. Hard work, but worth it. I remember the hours I spent on the sewing machine, ripping out the wrong stitches. Mama was a professional seamstress, self taught, and a degree via mail from The Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences, A Division of International Correspondence Schools, Scranton, Pennsylvania. On my dresser, I display two of her text books, Sewing For Profit and Decorative Stitches and Trimmings. Our kitchen table was covered with the course work for Dress Making and Designing.

Yes, back there in the mining camp town of Santa Rita, New Mexico, from April 1939 to November 1951, Daddy worked as a machinist welding in overalls which were always clean. Mama was studying and making gowns for the “big boss” wives. I learned about style and dress design from a mother in a mining camp.

I knew the American Airlines uniform had the style that I wanted to wear. In my view of life, I wore that uniform in the Golden Years of flying, when I was privileged to be a stewardess for my most favorite of all carriers, American Airlines. Thank you, American.

My parents lived through the depression, but I was never hungry. We were poor of means, but I didn't know it. They taught me the values of honesty, staying out of debt, working hard, being a good citizen of our country, respecting the flag, appreciating America, staying clean, and saying "Yes ma'am,” “No sir,” “Please,” and “Thank you for the good meal.” “May I be excused?” “How can I help you?" MANNERS.

Faith in God. Our immigrant ancestors who had sacrificed and worked hard to become part of our great United States of America were self-reliant, responsible, and principled. I made a choice to follow these teachings. This was the foundation of my character that I brought to American Airlines that helped me to become an excellent Stewardess.

The ranch where my folks lived was located between El Paso, Texas and Douglas, Arizona. From El Paso to Douglas, American Airlines' flight path took us right over the ranch. Mother knew what time of day I flew over the ranch house. She would take her apron and wave to the plane as we flew over. The DC 6 descended into the area of Douglas at an altitude which made Mama visible though the plane's window as I hurried to the window to see her. One day a passenger asked me what I was looking at outside the window. She laughed when I said, "My mother!"

On another occasion, as we flew over the ranch, the plane banked to the right and then to the left as a salute to Mama. Yes, there was Mama, this time waving a rather large white dish towel or cup towel as we called it. "What's happening?" voiced a passenger. “Well, we just aim to please," I replied. Little did anyone know that the person we were pleasing was that little lady on the ground waving to her daughter.

I can picture what Mama was doing in that small house, making it inviting with her homemade bread and pickled peaches, washing clothes in the wringer washing machine, and hurrying out to the garden to dig carrots for dinner. Perhaps she was on her way to gather eggs to be candled to take to market in Lordsburg, or wringing off a chicken's head for dinner. I knew this life well before I started on my journey away from Animas Valley.

Daddy held the soil of Animas Valley in his huge hands as he skillfully and artistically repaired the windmills among the puzzle of dust devils, cockleburs, thistles, devil's claws and tumbleweeds, only to become a footnote in the sands of time. I rejoice that I lived in the southern area of The Land of Enchantment.

Can you even imagine the threads of emotion I felt flying over this land below me? How I wished that I could tell my passengers about my life down there. Life that captured the colors of history, the landscape, and the feelings of the wide open spaces. The very thought fills my heart with the tears and laughter of nostalgia. Again snapshots of days gone by.

From my bedroom window I viewed and absorbed the silent strength of Animas Peak.

Animas Peak in southwestern New Mexico

Photos by Argie

Look at my smile as I waited to get on that plane heading from El Paso to Los Angeles. My next step after a smile for the camera was to say “Hi” to Sky Chef and check the service kit. I enjoyed flying in and out of the airport at El Paso. The agents were friendly and they asked about Bertha Candelaria, a stewardess and El Paso hometown girl. I loved to fly with her.

Public relations appearances soon became part of my job. My first PR experience was appearing at the monument which AA was installing in Texas. The clipping below reads: “Monument to be put atop 8,751 foot Guadeloupe Peak, the highest mountain in Texas, by American Airlines honoring pioneer and stage coach drivers who conquered the dangerous pass, pointed out by William E. Swift,
El Paso to Stewardess Argie Hoskins.”

Valley Independent Fabens, Texas

Claire Bullock, Argie Hoskins, Barbara Whaley, Gerry McMasters

These ladies were my friends and flying companions with whom I shared rent, utilities, and food that looked a lot like peanut butter. We prayed and played together, laughed and cried together. I remember before boarding our flight to New York, we played on the Santa Monica beach in the morning. In the evening, we walked with our sunburns in the snow of New York City to see the Perry Como or Andy Williams show. Perry was a popular television performer and recording artist, who sang one of my favorite songs, “Magic Moments.” He sold millions of records for RCA. With his relaxed attitude and wonderful voice, his success on television and popular recordings was rarely excelled. We enjoyed our sixteen hour layovers. Claire and Barbara have earned their eternal wings. Gerry is still calling everyone “Sweetie.” Gerry is a precious person. I know her well and in my opinion, I would choose her to be my stewardess. It was my privilege to work with her on both the props and jets.

Stewardess Gerry McMasters

One evening Gerry and I had closed the curtain of the buffet to eat. A passenger opened the curtain and announced with surprise, “You eat!?” Our passengers thought we were glamorous superwomen without appetites. Embarrassed!

    Journal Entry of January 1, 1959:
The Rose Parade was really beautiful with flowers, flowers and more flowers. One float had an American Airlines 707 jet model all decked out in appropriate colors. Go American Airlines!

    Journal Entry of January 14, 1959:
Supervisor Jean called and gave me a very special assignment, “You and Claire (a roommate) are going from Los Angeles to New York on the 707 on the 25th and the 29th,” which meant that we had been selected for the crew of the first commercial jet flight in America. WOW!

After training for the 707, I knew this was a continuation of being committed, focused and disciplined. This was an honor.

Again, I thought, how do I multi-task and sequence all the job demands? Could I do it?
My wind-miller, cowboy father had said every morning when he lighted the gas stove in my bedroom, “Get up and amount to something, Sister.” And I remember the words of American Airlines President C. R. Smith: "We strive to treat every customer with dignity and respect to make each person feel like the most important person in the world.” Yes, I could do that!

    Journal Entry of January 16, 1959:
I have been very busy doing public relations for American. I went with one of the American Airlines sales representatives to meet and deliver Models of the 707 to VIPs in the LA area: President of a Stock Exchange, President and Vice President of California Bank, President of Citizen's Bank, leading advertising businesses, and President of Pacific Mutual.

    Journal Entry of January 19, 1959:
Mr. Scroggins, American Airlines representative, and I met with Mayor Paulson, the publisher of the L. A. times, and many individuals, such as the President of Southern California Edison Co., and others who would be on the Inaugural Flight. I am lucky to be on the Inaugural flight.

    Journal Entry of Tuesday, January 20, 1959:
Today, I drove to Huntington Park to meet Mr. Hall, a sales manager for American Airlines. From there we drove to Fullerton to meet Dr. Arnold Beckman of Scientific Instruments, who was a pioneer in the field.
Cal Tech Alumni Association:
“Arnold O. Beckman, chairman emeritus of the Cal Tech Board of Trustees, and founder Beckman Instruments, Inc., achieved international recognition for his accomplishments in industry, science, education, and civic affairs. Founding his company in 1935 with the development of a pH meter that has become an indispensable tool for analytical chemists. Beckman saw his firm become a major international manufacturer of instruments and related products for medicine, science, industry, environmental technology, and many other fields.”

To this day, I remember the generosity and kindness of Dr. Beckman. He connected in a very special way. Me, a girl from Animas Valley! He and his wife Mabel were the “real” thing.

Back to Huntintgon Park to dinner with Jay Dickie and then to Pasadena to meet Sidney Small. We went to Jet Propulsion Laboratory and met with the Nuclear Physics core staff of our country; Dr. William Pickering.

In 1958, as director of JPL, Pickering led the successful effort to place the first U.S. satellite, Explorer 1, into Earth orbit.
Cal Tech Speech Reference Collection:
“In January 1959, JPL was assigned the responsibility for the robotic exploration of the moon and planets. Under Pickering's direction, JPL supervised the Ranger missions returning the first close-up, high-resolution pictures of the lunar surface; he also supervised the Surveyor soft-landers on the Moon; the Mariner missions to Mars and Venus; and the first gravity assist mission to Mercury, via Venus.”

JPL also designed the Viking Orbiters to Mars and designed and built the Voyager spacecraft for their mission to the outer planets.
Along with Dr. Pickering was Dr. Al Hibbs, a physicist, Dr. Val Larsen, Dr. Frank Goddard, was
the California Scientist of the Year and a number others of the team. I presented Dr. Pickering and Dr. Larsen with a miniature Boeing 707 model.
Cal Tech Reference Collection:
“Alumnus Frank E. Goddard Jr. (PhD '57), assistant director for research and development at Cal Techie's Jet Propulsion Laboratory received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for outstanding performance in advancing the technology of automated spacecraft design.”

After pictures, we journeyed on to see a Dr. Fay who is a teacher at Cal Tech. It is amazing that I brushed shoulders with these busy and very involved individuals.

    Journal Entry of Friday, January 23, 1959:
For our jet flight, we stayed in class all day long. We had our food service procedures today, which meant checking the buffet area for all needed items, what to turn on, what to turn off, all the food and beverage items for the flight including table clothes, Wine and Food menus, cocktail napkins, stirrers in preparation for a several course dining experience with special appetizers, salad, entree, dessert and fruit candy. If something was missing, we needed to know who to contact. Prior to that Friday, we had been briefed on the emergency procedures.

    Another Journal Entry January 24, 1959, Saturday:
I went to the airport, we finally got on the jet after much delay. Now, that was an exciting day. I remember the feelings which flowed over me as I walked onto the aircraft. Thinking, "This is the real thing.” Had my hair cut and fixed by Mr. Reid, very pleased. Came home after appointment and got ready for the flight.

On Jan. 25, 1959 American became the first airline to offer coast-to-coast jet service with the Boeing 707. On this historic flight, I felt like a celebrity being one of the stewardesses picked out of 2,000 plus stewardesses. The year of 1959 with American Airline was an exciting year for an airline stewardess because the population was thrilled to be riding on the jet.

I proudly have my American Airline Jet Training Boeing 707 card. “This certifies that Argie Hoskins is a qualified Stewardess on American's 707 Jet Flagship. [signed]Ralph Radcliffe, Director-Stewardess Service.

    Journal Entry of January 25, 1959:
Claire and I got up at 5:30, dressed, had a bite to eat and out to the airport, an hour and a half before the flight departure. While we were being debriefed, a newspaper man took our pictures.

We boarded our aircraft and while having our pre-flight check, we had Gov. Brown and Mrs. Pat Brown, Red Moiser (AA Exec.), President C. R. Smith, Miss Jane Wyman, Mr. and Mrs. Hill plus others stroll through the plane. Mrs. Brown christened the plane, "Flagship California" with speeches by Gov. Brown and C. R. Smith.

At this point my roommate Claire Bullock who was one of jet stewardesses and yes, from the south, a totally dedicated fan of Elvis Presley was standing in the front of the craft when Elvis' agent handed her a photo of Elvis to accompany us on the first jet flight.

American Airlines Boeing 707 Inaugural Flight

Flight Engineer Norman Rice, Stewardess Marilyn Rutkowski, Stewardess Edna Garrett, Captain Charles Macatee, Stewardess Argie Hoskins, Captain Lou Szabo, Stewardess Claire Bullock, Flight Engineer Bill Duncan

In different locations on the plane, bouquets of yellow and lavender flowers welcomed our guests. Oh yes, the stewardesses received orchids to wear. The entire flight was made up of very influential and successful people; newspaper people and cameramen, plus other wonderful passengers. Passengers were milling from one cabin to the other, Mercury to Coach. It was like a press conference and confusing for me. The task at hand was to serve our passengers beverage and food with first class service in a very informal atmosphere as one big happy family. I gave Miss Wyman my flight duster to wear, that being the dress, we wore during the food service. Everyone was having a grand time up in the "dream of sunshine and clouds." It was a magnificent experience and lots of hard work.

Argie Ella Hoskins

                                       An exciting day for Jet travel!     January 25, 1959

MERCURY SECTION    Manifest
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Adamson
    Aviation Department, Shell Oil Co.

Alcott, Carrell
    CBS Radio News
Babcock, C. Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Binns
    Exec. V. P. Waldorf Hotel

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bull
    Sports Announcer

Meuschki
    NBC Monitor

Clark, Wilbur
    Owner, Desert Inn Hotel, Las Vegas

Collins, W. C.
    Pres. of Northrop Aircraft

Dreyfuss, Henry
    Architect-Designer

Epley, M
    Long Beach Press Telegram

Fowler, Will
    AAL Public Relations
Frabutt, J. A.
    Pres. Int'l Telephone and Telegraph

Fry, Charles
V. P. Austin-Field-Fry

Grainger, I
    Pres. Cera Exchange Bank N. Y.

Metz, Rex   Cameraman

Mrs. Cordel Hicks
L. A. Times

Hogan, William
    Sr. V. P. Treasurer, AAL

Jacome, Alex
    Pres. Jacome Dept. Store

Jamison, Frank G.
    Pres. Pacific Automation

Kirk, J. Paul
    Pres. Morris P. Kirk Co.
Kraugh, E. D.
L. A. Herald Express

Mr. and Mrs. Abe Lastfogel
    Pres. William Morris Agency

Miss Maryon Lears
    Merchandise Mgr. Silverweeds

Levitan, Paul
    CBS T.V. News

Dr. and Mrs. Majer   Physician

Mr. and Mrs. Lee Mytinger
    Corp. Sec'y and CoOwner Mytinger and Casselberry

Mr. and Mrs. M. Pollard
    Airport Commissioner L. A.

Power, A. H.
    Partner Ernst and Ernst

Reiger, Henry
    United Press

C. R. Smith, President of American Airlines

Smitter, Revel H.
    Sales Mgr. Waugh Engineering

Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Stabler
    Pres. Filmasters, Inc.

Stanton, Dr. Frank   Pres. CBS

Stewart, Sam
    Coplay Newspapers

Stoneham, Herace
    Pres. San Francisco Giants

Summer, William
    Pasadena Star News & Independent

Thomas, Bill
L. A. Mirror News

Mr. and Mrs. Karl Weber
    Chair of BD. Weber Aircraft

Weis, Elmer J.
    Exec. V. P. Pacific Pumps, Inc.

Winnett, P. G.
    Chair of BD. Bullocks

Mr. and Mrs. G. Wright
Mr. Wright (89 years old)

Miss Jane Wyman       Actress
This was the world of show business on Flight 2. Miss Wyman was filmed wearing my flight duster. Flight dusters were worn while serving a meal. We had our choice as a crew to either wear or not wear the duster. It made a more appropriate dress for the food service. One of the important reasons for the cover up was that it kept the uniform clean. It was flattering to me that she wore the same size. I still have it, minus the belt, in my closet. Jane was very pleasant to be around. She played the part of an American Airline Stewardess in the movie, "Three Guys named Mike." As a side note, Jane Wyman had been married to Ronald Reagan.

Mr. and Mrs. Glen Wallichs
    Pres. Capital Records

Dr. Arthur A. Klein
    Cal Tech
Professor of aeronautics at Cal Tech, director of the Society of Automotive Engineers

Dr. Clark Millikan
    Cal Tech
I had this gentleman on an earlier flight and I had enjoyed his friendliness and his usual enthusiasm for his projects. In the 1950's a new facet of aeronautics came into
view with the ideas of satellites and spacecrafts. Second time I met him while on a PR assignment. And now third time to see Dr. Millikan. It was always exciting to meet people over and over.

ROYAL COACHMAN SECTION
Mr. and Mrs. L. Barnett    Barnett age 2 ?
    Pres. Music Corp. of American
Barnett, Norman
V. P. Barnett Int'l Forwarders

Bassetti, Miss M.
    SFO

Bath, Phil
    AAL Photographer

Berlin, Franklin G.
    Pres. Beemak Plastics

Blodgett, Robert
    AA Admiral
Bowers, H. E.
    Exec. J. E. Haddock Co.

Buller, E.
    Mayor Atwater, California

Mr. and Mrs. William H. Burgess
    Electronic Specialty Co.

Caverly, R. J.
    Hd. Int'l Div. Hilton Hotels

Christophenson, Enoch
    Past Mayor, Turlock, California

Dr. and Mrs. Walter
    Optometrist & Designer

Elmore, John   Prominent Farmer, Brawley, California

Feitler, Michael
    Manager Oakland Realty Co.

Galloway, Neal
    Merced County, California

Gore, W. L.
V. P. Aerojet Corp.

Gundell, G.
V. P. Nat'l Dairy Association

Haag, Mrs. E. H.
    Wife, Sales Mgr. Air Products Co.

Harris, John H.
    Pres. of Ice Capades

Havas, Gilbert
    Cr. Analyst Bank of America

Johnson, R. M.
    Western Regional Manager General Controls

Dr. J. B. Jones and wife Dee Jones
    Pres. Abundavita

Mr. and Mrs. William Koda
    Rice Grower, Worlds Largest

Larkin, Mr. Fritz
V. P. Security Bank

Lavender, Mr. G.
    Railway Express Driver

Little, Mr. Lee
    Radio KTVC

Lunn
    Nat'l Dairy Association

MacMorris, David
    DCA Eastern Rep. Sunstrand Turbo Div.

McGrew, Wayne
Pres. Partlow Co., E. Hartford, N. Y.

O'Conner, N.
    V. P. N. W. Ayer & Son
    NYC

Parkinson, Allen
    Pres. Sleep-Eze Co., Inc.

Partlow, Howard Jr.
    Pres. Partlow Co.
    E. Hartford, N. Y.

Patterson, Lawrence E.
    Pres. Pepsi Cola
    Santa Ana

Ray, Jack
V. P. Sales - Gen'l Controls

Rubel, E. E.
    Partner - Roemer & Rubel Buick

Rubin, M.
    Pres. California Jersey Mills

Smith, Russell
    Pres. Avery Label

Stebbins, Roger
    Pacific Coast Exec. - Sears

Tingdale
    AA Operation Service

Toner, Miss Alice
    Nurse - Larry Barnett Family

Watson, T.
    V. P. N.W. Ayer & Son
    N. Y. C.

Way, Gordon
    V. P. Bechtel
    SFO

Willett, Bernard
V.P. Space Tech. Lab. - Greenwich Div.

Wolff, John
    Sales Mgr., Heating Gen'l, Control

Dr. John Froehlich
    Jet Propulsion Laboratory
John F. Froehlich, satellite project director at the lab (Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
Noted in the minutes of a 28 October 1958 meeting at JPL:
“He and his colleagues expected their study to 'result in NASA's major space program but would not incorporate the entire national program.' JPL, working jointly with the Army Ballistic Missile Agency, anticipated that this would be the working plan for the next five years, not just another proposal. The California team determined that NASA should concentrate on 'putting up large payloads for interplanetary research,' not Earth-orbiting satellites.”

Dr. Allen
Dr. Lombardi
    Jet Propulsion Laboratory

American Airlines memorial coin given to our passengers on the first jet flight across the U.S.A

Journal Entry of 25th of January, 1959
We arrived in N. Y. 4 hours and 9 minutes later. A band was playing when we opened the door and bright lights were shining with people taking pictures. Our debriefing after the flight was interesting. We are helping work out all the things which need to be changed with the Boeing 707 stewardess procedural operations.

We were so tired, Claire and I said, “Never again." The flight was overwhelming, however our training kept us calm and poised. We had the knowledge to be self-sufficient and to make decisions that affected our passengers. In a crisis we could rise above the everyday requirements of passenger service. We were prepared. Again, I say, “We were tired.” After a good night's sleep, we bid the 707 flights again and again.

Excepts from Astrojet News January 27, 1969

Captain Macatee Reflects on Historic Flight

10 Years Ago: Jet Age Debut

    Even from a distance of 10 years back, it was and had to be his biggest thrill in 30 years of flying, said Captain Charles A. Macatee.

    The preparations had began years before. “Paper jets' had begun “flying” daily New York-Los Angeles and Chicago-Dallas trips in July 1958.

    But the big moment was 8:45 a.m. Pacific Coast Time Sunday January 25, 1959.

    With Captain Macatee at the controls, First Office (now captain) Lou Szabo beside him, and 112 passengers aboard, American's first Jet Flagship lifted off Runway 251, at Los Angeles International Airport and headed for New York.

    It was commercial aviation's first transcontinental jet flight, a flight that brought east and west coasts three hours closer together and revolutionized an airline, an industry and the nation's transportation system.

    “We got off 20 minutes late because of the ceremonies at the Los Angeles. But we were fortunate enough to catch tailwinds that at times were in excess of 150 knots. We arrived at New York on schedule, exactly four hours and 3 minutes after takeoff.“

    Hundreds of people, included a 25-piece brass band, turned out at Idelwild to welcome the first transcontinental jet (more than 25,000 had seem it off at LAX.) Newsmen, government officials and movie stars were aboard, including actress Jane Wyman (“who for some reason I kept calling Mrs. Lyman, Captain Macatee recalled.)

    C.R. Smith, also aboard, told AAers in a special issue of Flagship News to “take a bow to history, for you are a part of it today. The piston-engineered airplane will retain our affection, for it has done so much for us and for air transportation. Today, we have a new area of expectation, for the bright promise of what the turbine-powered airport will bring lies ahead of us.”

        This issue of Astrojet News was contributed by Captain Macatee's daughter, Beth Snyder
In the article Captain Macatee reflected upon the historical significance of this first transcontinental jet flight. He and Captain H. C. Smith, who flew the return trip had flown the 707 without passengers for about 200 hours before this historical flight with passengers. Captain Macatee concluded his comments by saying, “But those four hours three minutes were the big ones of me. They always will be.”

I share my feeling about Flagship California. Not only was the event impressive, but the 707's was graceful, sleek and absolutely gorgeous with open hospitality for all who entered her doors. In her resplendent beauty she was far “More Than A Ticket.”

AMERICAN AIRLINES STEWARDESS Emergency Training in 1957-1959

2009-04-28T15:12:00.000-07:00

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Above is my Daddy who taught me to keep things in order to accomplish a task. Tasks were done with strict discipline. Obedience to the task was demanded and expected. As a public school teacher, I found that students who had not learned to internalize discipline could not focus and accomplish a goal.
I am quoting a cowboy friend who worked for Daddy from time to time, "Al would tell me what he wanted to get done. He would than tell me what he was going to do, told me what I was going to do and said, "Now be careful!" As a windmiller for a large ranch, Al took his job very seriously. It could be a dangerous venture, getting up the windmill tower to repair whatever was needed. Thank you Daddy for being an example of hard and dedicated work ethics. Mother used to say, "You are just like your Daddy," for me that was a compliment. American Airlines set that expectation for the Stewardess Corp.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Above is my Mother for whom I am grateful for her intuitive soul, hard work and good judgment. She taught me to think outside the box. "Sister, if you can not do it one way, you can do it another." "Think before you act." "Think of others before yourself." "Do your best!" Thank you dear Mother for being you and helping me be me. Neither of us was perfect, but we hung in there and kept trying until something worked. Life is hard work! It is worth it!

Honestly, I had the foundation for learning and applying the skills needed for Emergency Training.

I am amazed at the metamorphic process from caterpillar to butterfly. What does this have to do with me and Emergency Training? The caterpillar was evolving step by step. As I ponder my training as a stewardess and the "me" who emerged from that training during the years of my flying experience, it was all good. For successfully handling of any emergency, it was important to know what to do on an automatic level so I could depend on my knowledge and skill. Wow! I needed to learn sooo much. And good ole American Airlines picked me, Argie Hoskins, because they knew that I could do it! Now to get rid of the self doubts and have confident inside of me. The task ahead was to learn what I needed to know on an automatic level, no guess work! Along the way something really great happened, I found in me, a new me, not only did I know the procedures, but I had good judgment. You can't learn everything you need to know by the book. There is no substitute for good judgment. Always have in my mind plan "A" and plan "B" for this is survival. Later as a school teacher, we had workshops on "thinking outside the box." I realized that I had been thinking outside the box for year and years.

My first Emergency Training was focused on DC-6, DC-6B, DC-6 Coach, DC-7, DC-7 Coach, DC-7 Dual Service, and the Convair. The Emergency Equipment: EXITS and how to open the window exits from inside and in some cases the outside of the aircraft. ROPES were located in exit windows and doors of certain aircraft. EVACUATION SLIDES were stored on the cabin doors. The Lounge exit had a slide. It was fun to practice our skills while overcoming fear. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS were located in various locations on the several aircraft. OXYGEN cylinder, outlets, walk-around bottles were strategically placed. FLASHLIGHTS were on some aircraft. EMERGENCY LIGHTS replaced flashlights on all aircraft. Another item that we always checked when we boarded was the SERVICE KIT which contained First Aid Equipment. We were trained to remember to take the SERVICE KIT with us if we evacuated. We didn't have the theme bandaides that children plaster all over them these days. That would have been an interesting demand. We had a FIRE AXE located on the forward side of cockpit door on all aircraft. FIRE DETECTORS AND EXTINGUISHING EQUIPMENT and FLOTATION SEAT CUSHIONS were on some aircraft.

This is a statement from my American Airlines Manual: "The successful handling of any emergency aboard an aircraft depends to a large degree on you and your knowledge. There is never an emergency in which there isn't something you can do to help. Safe procedures require a cool head. The ability to think straight and operate calmly requires knowledge of what to do. There is no substitute for good judgment. The outline that follows assigns specific Stewardess responsibilities on the DC-6/DC-7 and the Convair. If, on the DC-6/DC-7 an emergency occurs and the specific location of the First Stewardess at the time makes it difficult or time consuming to accomplish her duties as outlined, then good judgment should dictate that she carry out the Second Stewardess' duties and vice -versa. The Second Stewardess under such conditions should take her cue from the First Stewardess.

Now the task for me was to know what responsibilities were First Stewardess and Second Stewardess because I felt that I could do both at the same time. That has been my challenge all my life; I think that I can do it all. I can't! I must be in charge of my stewardship and others must be committed to their stewardship. In case of an emergency, I must know what I can do and do it! Don't expect someone else or the government to solve the problems that I must handle.

More later!
And oh yes, Have a Happy Heart!

And this is the more later! This morning I thought of a couple more things that came to mind. I know that when I have time to write from my journal; I will have more to say. For now as I remember, the kind of emergency situations that I was trained for back in the 1950's were varied. BELLY LANDING when the gear would not come down was not very different than a normal landing. However there was the possibility of the shock of the hard landing of the tail and even more hard the landing of the nose. What was comforting was that we would be near the ground for easy departure. I remember the advice was to inform the passengers to relieve their bladders so that on impact the bladder would not burst. I never found that in the manual, but thought it was a good idea. Along with that idea was the use of the pillows and position of the body on impact. NOSE WHEEL UP MAIN GEAR DOWN will position the aircraft in a nose down, tail up! This position business of landing was hard for me because of the sequencing challenge in my brain. Up, down, down up! Concepts had to be over learned!
* KNOW YOUR PROCEDURES
* USE GOOD JUDGMENT
* KEEP COOL

One evening the crew was dead heading a plane back to LA. An engine caught on fire! We made an emergency landing. I was not one bit concerned. The flying crew knew what to do!

The following was not an emergency, however it could have been. After having had an extended layover in New York because of a wicked snow storm, the cold, continuing gray skies, and weather conditions, we loaded our passengers in the hangar as we continued to de-ice. Little did we know that inspite of the working snow plows the runway conditions were still icy. The noises on take off didn't seem that much different from other icy, snowy takeoffs. When we deplaned in LA, the crew was talking and taking notes as they studied the rolled up metal on the belly of the plane. I suppose this rolled up metal on the fuselage was caused by ice on the runway. I have always wanted to see that report.

One evening flying between El Paso and Douglas, the pilot lower the plane very quickly. He reported that he had picked up an unidentified object in our path. He was not asleep at the wheel. Speaking of such! I flew with a flight engineer that shared that he believed in UFOs because of the things that he had observered while flying. Interesting!

A near miss! On take off from New York and again during the winter, we almost did not make it over a fence at the end of the runway and into the water we could have gone. BUT the crew did some very quick and skilled flying to leap us over the fence. I loved flying with those old World War II pilots. They were so great! From the props to the jets, they were the greatest!!!!! I was afraid to fly before I became a stewardess. Just knowing the skill of the men at the wheel was a comfort. I am now married to an old pilot from World War II. When we are fly we hear every sound and movement of the aircraft. We have traveled on many airlines. And you know my choice of carriers.

In my opinion, American Airline is the best for their concern and training for Emergency Training. I would do it all over again for American.

More later!
Have a Happy Heart!

American Airlines Stewardess 1957-1959 passenger letters and other paperwork

2009-02-08T10:48:00.000-08:00

Hi,

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Argie Hoskins in El Paso, Texas June 1957

I am adding some interesting paperwork that I have kept because of the memories they stir. Memories that come with threads of time.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

American Airlines Application requirements 1957
T0 view larger image: * Click on the above picture *Find the selection *Click and magnify

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

American Airlines Application requirements 1957
T0 view larger image: * Click on the above picture *Find the selection *Click and magnify

These little bits of paper can paint a history of what it meant to be a stewardess during my time with American Airlines. Read and picture what we looked like and how we acted. I am telling you, I could hardly wait to dress in that neat, tailored uniform with the cap on my head, putting on my best smile to be of service to the air traveling population. Knowing that passengers would dress up and put their best foot forward to receive "first class service" be it in the front or rear of the plane. It was an exciting match of colorful personalities. I feel I was privileged to have been serving the public in such a special way during this period of history.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Name plate

I still have my two name plates. By now you know that I am very sentimental. Not only were we trained to know our passenger's names, but right there in front of the plane for the passengers to see were our names. "What does the A. stand for?" Many times that question was asked. "Argie"

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Passenger letters were always rewarding for me because they validated me as a contributor. This was one of our family's core values. "Not what you get, but what you give, makes you happy." I grew up knowing that the footsteps of my life would be to give, not to take. I am saddened when my brothers and sisters of this earth's experience have not learned to embrace and appreciate this valuable lesson. "Look outward for joy, not inward to be satisfied." (Argie Hoskins) The most glorious picture is seeing the hands of giving not taking. Again, letters from my passengers told me that I was doing a pretty good job of giving. Thank you dear passengers.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Stewardess Argie Hoskins' passenger letter from Clara M. Herring Flight 561 July 16th 1957 Cincinnati to Indianapolis

edit

I kept this letter because I remember Clara Herring. She was excited to be aboard AA. My life has now turned into her age of the year 1957. How generous of her to write a note expressing her thanks for the service she enjoyed. My memory now enjoys her as she warmed my heart in July of 1957.
This was one of my first passenger letters.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Argie Hoskins' check ride by stewardess supervisor Peggy Warren August 3, 1957

Note the lack of excellent performance. That came later! "Anything worth having is worth working for." I was so terrified of the supervisors until I had been flying about two years and they started telling me that I would be a really fine supervisor. Perhaps I could make a career with American Airlines. I started thinking in that direction. Betty was the first one to give me the idea. I liked it. That is how I viewed myself. "As a man thinketh, so is he."

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Passenger letter from Thomas G. Stanley San Diego October 12, 1957

edit

Passenger Thomas Stanley
Back in those days, I was either naive or trusted everyone, because as I go through my memory items, I find that I gave out my address with regularity. At the time, I am not sure that it was a wise decision and certainly not now. The world was a safer place to live and I felt that I could discern the intent of the heart. Thomas Stanley was a good "kid" and needed a friendly smile.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Harry Fried, Christian Business Men's Committee member, was on my flight. October 1957
I remember the energy with which this dear man explained the organization. Good is Good!

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Military Order of the World War

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Major General Irvine gave Stewardess Argie Hoskins a contest card for a given
historical response to which she correctly answered.

edit

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

library.truman.edu/archives/vets_memorial.htm - 17k

In Memory of Our Students
Who Gave Their Lives in the Service of Their Country

The World War I service flag honoring all First District Normal school students who had served in the armed forces was dedicated by President Eugene Fair on July 18, 1918, and a Soldiers Memorial Fund was established to create some type of permanent memorial to those who had died. This memorial eventually took the form of two bronze plaques which were completed and installed February 1928; one contained the text of Fair’s 1918 speech and the other the list of the honorees.

A list of the Northeast Missouri State students who lost their lives and President Walter Ryle’s 1942 service flag dedication address appear on the two World War II memorial plaques. They were unveiled by four men and women representing student veterans at an Armistice Day program in Kirk Auditorium, November 11, 1948. Brigadier General Willard W Irvine’s dedicatory address was followed by taps and a 3-volley gun salute by MacDougall-Lowe American Legion Post No 20.

Dedication of the Korean War memorial was held in Kirk Auditorium on Veterans Day, Nov 11 1957. Lt Col Robert L McKinney, Assistant to the President, gave the address and Janet Howell, daughter of Capt Robert Newland Howell Jr, unveiled the plaque on which her father’s name appears. The ceremony closed with taps and a 3-volley gun salute by MacDougall-Lowe American Legion Post No 20.

The Viet Nam War memorial plaque, sponsored by the campus Veterans’ Club, was dedicated in a solemn Veterans Day ceremony on the Quad, Nov 11, 1980. Club President Sam Guzzo and University President Charles McClain unveiled the plaque and Bill Elmore, President of the National Organization of Concerned Veterans, gave the dedicatory address.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Passenger Loren Richard Hodge

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Probationary letter from supervisor Sally Robinson
Now Argie is a full fledged stewardess.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Letter from The White House June 1958

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Letter from The White House regarding air safety.
This is in response to my letter to them. One day in route between Tucson and LA, a military jet invaded our commercial space. The crew was concerned, as were many passengers, soooo I wrote a letter to The White House.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Letter from passenger Frankie Jones

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Passenger Stephen Riddle created a picture for me with a story.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Passenger Nancy Ver Burg drew a wonderful picture for me.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Passenger Richard Baldwin

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

In reply to Richard Baldwin's letter to me, C. R. Smith wrote a note.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Passenger Captain James Quinn wrote a letter about our great service. We were trained well!

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Supervisor Dotti

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Passenger Michael Hummer

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Stewardess supervisor Jan Enright LAX October 1958

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Passenger Mr. and Mrs. Don McNamara

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Passenger Jonesy October 1958

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Passenger Edith Geren December 1958

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Passenger Floris Henderson December 1958

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Passenger Robert (Bob) Cawley Sr., director and producer for NBC-TV became a friend of Argie's brother C.L. C.L. was going to acting school in Hollywood. That is another story to tell. After I had Bob on my flight, he started helping C.L. with his pursue to get into pictures. The long and the short of it is, that after C.L. joined the Army, Four Star Playhouse sent him an invitation for a contract in a series. Too late!

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

C.L. Hoskins Charles Leslie Hoskins
Vanity Fair publication
Attending Columbia acting school where Bob Cawley was a teacher.

Bob asked me if I would like to take some acting classes. I would have very much liked to have taken classes, however my plate was full of other things at the time. Acting is what I have done all my life. I am what my heart desires to be, "Act out your life in a way that your footsteps will take you where life will be remembered as good." We have a choice where our slippas will take us.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Passenger George Lamsa

Dr. Lamsa sent me a small book of the 23rd Pslams.
Dr. Lamsa told me as he studied the Book of Mormon, he felt it to be a legitimate writing.
He was the technical advisor on the film, The Big Fisherman"

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Lamsa Web site:
Dr. George Lamsa was a native Assyrian who was shocked to find that most Christians in the West used a Greek-based Bible. To Dr. George M. Lamsa, and many other Eastern Christians, the Aramaic Bible, is the only Bible. He worked on translating the Aramaic Peshitta into English, resulting in the Lamsa Bible.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Congratulations from Beth Spain and children Monty and Nanette Spain
to Argie Hoskins for stewardess jet selection.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Letter from William Fowler American Airlines
Bill Phillips American Airlines

Stewardesses Claire Bullock and Argie Hoskins were on the "Stop Arthritis Telethon."
Will Fowler and Bill Phillips of AA wrote to Supervisor Jeanne Folk thanking her for our participation.

My journal entry of Sunday, February 15, 1959
"Our friend Bob Cawley said that all of the NBC control unit in his particular studio was watching. There were lots of people on the program such as Jane Russell, Jerry Lewis, Lucille Ball, Billy Eckstein, John Smith (actor in The High and Mighty), Kathy Nolan(Actress), Terry Moore,(Actress), the M.C., Uncle Miltie Berle. Oh yes, should I forget, Claire Bullock and Argie Hoskins, American Airline stewardesses.

While speaking of public relations, I accepted the invitation to represent American on many occasions such as other telethons, Rotary Club meetings, and etc.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Archive for Monday, April 05, 1999

Peter Pitchess, Sheriff Who Modernized Agency, Dies

By Myrna Oliver
April 05, 1999 in print edition A-1

Peter J. Pitchess, the Los Angeles County sheriff who transformed the nation’s largest Sheriff’s Department from a rustic cowboy agency into a modern professional law enforcement organization, died Sunday at his home in Newport Beach. He was 87.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Passenger A. C. Hershatter

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Passenger Kenneth Woolley

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Passengers from North Carolina Meyer's Store
President Joseph T. Martin Southern Gentleman

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Passenger Elmira Sears from Albany, New York

First flight on a plane and here she was on the 707 Jet.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Passenger Emmett McKowan 21 February 1959

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Passenger Helen Goldschmidt
Impressive, engaging lady.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Passenger P. Romero

September 16, 1959

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Page 1

Subject: Landing Gear - Hydraulic System
Air Conditioning
Water Injection Pumps
Gauges, Instruments - Cockpit Panel
Cabin Items
Coffee Maker
Buffet Equipment
Buffet Service Door
Buffet Air Vents
Chimes
Seats

Letter from Ralph Radcliffe
Director - Stewardess Service

[PDF]

Eugene T

File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
Ralph Radcliffe 1957-1958. • Classification: air transportation. • Worked for 21 years as a sales representative for American Airlines in Cincinnati, ...
4rotary100.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=q%2FE%2FEX6UJ3Y%3D&tabid=141&mid=702 - Similar pages -

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Page 2

Ralph Radcliffe
Director - Stewardess Service

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Page 3

Ralph Radcliffe
Director - Stewardess Service

C. R. Smith described it as "the most reliable engine we have ever operated." When you consider the overall performance, and passenger reaction to our new airplanes, plus the fact that there does not seem to be any problems that are not yielding to trouble-shooting, the outlook is solidly good.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Page 1

707 BRIEFING
Stewardess Service Division
September 16, 1959

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Page 2

Subject: Changes in Current Patterns of Service

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Page 3

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Page1

707 BRIEFING
Stewardess Service Division
September 22, 1959

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Page 2

October 1, 1959 707 Jet Stewardess schedule

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

On Sundays after flying my way to another city, I was off and running to Church where ever I happened to be on a layover. Following are some of the places that I visited now and again.
As I reminisce, it is fun to take my mind from place to place. This morning I found another journal. When I have time. . . more to write.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Phoenix, Arizona

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Dallas, Texas

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

I lived in Westchester area for a short time.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

El Paso, Texas

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

New York City

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Westwood, near UCLC

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Westwood Second Ward
This is the church I attended while living in Los Angeles. The chapel is located on the same plot of ground that the Los Angeles Temple is located. The congregation was friendly and I made a lot of good friends at church. Some of which I still enjoy the relationships. I was in the same Sunday School class with Loraine Day. She was a wonderful sister in the church.

Laraine Day

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

Laraine Day

from the trailer for Journey for Margaret (1942)

Born

La Raine Johnson
October 13, 1920
Roosevelt, Utah

Died

November 10, 2007 (aged 87)
Ivins, Utah

Years active

1937–1986^[1]

Spouse(s)

Ray Hendricks (1942–1947)
Leo Durocher (1947–1960)
Michael Grilikhes (1960–2007)

[show]Awards won
Other awards
Hollywood Walk of Fame

Laraine Day (October 13, 1920 – November 10, 2007)^[1]^[2] was an American actress and an a former MGM contract star.

[hide]

Career

Born La Raine Johnson ^[3] in Roosevelt, Utah, she was a descendant of a prominent Mormon pioneer leader, and moved with her family from Utah to California, where she began her acting career with the Long Beach Players.

In 1937 she debuted onscreen in a bit part in Stella Dallas; shortly afterwards she won lead roles in several George O'Brien westerns at RKO, in which she was billed as "Laraine Hays" and then Laraine Johnson.

In 1939 she signed with MGM, going on to become popular and well-known (billed as Laraine Day) as "Nurse Mary Lamont", the title character's fiancee in a string of seven "Dr. Kildare" movies beginning with Calling Dr. Kildare (1939), with Lew Ayres in the title role.

Her roles for other studios were often far more stimulating than those MGM gave her, including a prominent supporting part in the Irish melodrama My Son, My Son! She starred in the Alfred Hitchcock thriller Foreign Correspondent (1940) with Joel McCrea, and the psychological mystery The Locket (1946) with Robert Mitchum, Brian Aherne, and Gene Raymond. She was paired opposite major film stars, including Lana Turner, Cary Grant, and John Wayne, and hosted a TV show alternately called Daydreaming with Laraine or The Laraine Day Show (1951).

Personal life

She was married to Ray Hendricks from 1942 to 1947, then to the baseball manager Leo Durocher from 1947 to 1960, while she would sometimes be referred to as "the first lady of baseball". While Durocher was managing the New York Giants, Day wrote a book with the punning title Day With the Giants (1952).

Shortly after her divorce from Durocher, Day married television producer Michael Grilikhes in 1960. She and Grilikhes had two daughters, Dana (b. 1962) and Gigi (b. 1964). After their births, Day rarely appeared in films, and only occasionally appeared on TV, portraying matronly types. Day was devoted to the raising of her two daughters, and largely retired from film and television to spend time with her family and be active in her church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons).

Hollywood Walk of Fame

For her contribution to the motion picture industry, Laraine Day has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6676 Hollywood Blvd.

Death

Laraine Day died on November 10, 2007 in Ivins, Utah, aged 87, at the home of her daughter, Gigi Bell, according to her publicist, Dale Olson. Day had moved back to her native Utah in March 2007 following the death of her third husband. According to IMDb the cause of death was cancer, but there is no other evidence to support this. Most other sources have cited "natural causes".^{[citation needed]}

Selected filmography

My Son, My Son! (1939)
Calling Dr. Kildare (1939)
The Secret of Dr. Kildare (1939)
I Take This Woman (1940)
Dr. Kildare's Strange Case (1940)
Foreign Correspondent (1940) directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Dr. Kildare Goes Home (1940)
Dr. Kildare's Crisis (1940)
The Bad Man (1941) with Wallace Beery, Lionel Barrymore, and Ronald Reagan
The People vs. Dr. Kildare (1941)
Dr. Kildare's Wedding Day (1941)
Unholy Partners (1941) with Edward G. Robinson
Fingers at the Window (1942)
Journey for Margaret (1942) with Robert Young and Fay Bainter
Mr. Lucky (1943) with Cary Grant
The Story of Dr. Wassell (1944)
The Locket (1946) with Robert Mitchum
Tycoon (1947) with John Wayne
I Married a Communist (1949) with Robert Ryan
My Dear Secretary (1949)
Without Honor (1949)
The High and the Mighty (1954) with John Wayne

Life As A Stewardess

2009-01-16T13:12:00.000-08:00

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Argie Hoskins with long hair and brother C.L. Hoskins before Stewardess School, April 1957.

Leaving home, Argie Hoskins and brother C.L. Hoskins
picked up their suit cases and went their separate ways, "sister" went one way and "brother" another into the unknown world away from rattlesnakes, horned toads, the warmth of the gas heater, Mama's home cooking with steaks from range fed cattle, cakes from scratch, and home made ice cream. There in Animas Valley, New Mexico, once known as home and one time without electricity, five small rooms, two adobe, and raw milk to drink, my restless spirit said, "Go." It was hard for me to leave, but I wanted to go! And step, by step made my way to the big city. "Chicago, Chicago, and many people's hometown."

I was living with my Aunt Boo, Uncle Bill, Cousins Effie and Freddie in El Paso, Texas and working for El Paso Natural Gas Company. To become a stewardess, "Now, that is a novel idea." However, I was afraid of flying and what more afraid of heights. Having always had a dizziness challenge, the dream was "Pie in the sky," my mother would say.

After my interview with American, I sat in the terminal at Amon Carter field waiting for my flight and thinking, "Well, I did look sorta cute in the cap he had me try on as I looked in a mirror and I really do like to visit with people." I prayed to the Heavens above that whatever happened would be for the best.

The telegram beat me home!

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

My hands still tremble with excitement! Some would say that it is old age, but I know that the tears of joy are not old age as I ponder this telegram. This moment changed my life.

My family was so excited when they picked me up at the airport! This would be the airport that I most frequently flew in and out of, either as a destination or a stop along the way. On that evening, I did not know that I would be thrilled by the glorious south west sunsets, the powerful thunder storms that would rock the plane, this way and that, as the route took us through huge puffy clouds and sudden drops in attitude. In the southern part of New Mexico is where I would learn that the power of nature is amazingly stated in the world of flying. New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment, graced with beauty both on the land and in the sky. My home!

Little did I know that I was about to embark on a journey that would try my brains and challenge my emotions while learning a ton about me.

American Airlines' Chicago hangar at Midway Airport housed the Stewardess College when I attended the school in April and May of 1957. Later that same year, the world's first facility for flight attendant training, the American Airlines Stewardess College was built in Dallas/Fort Worth. Before this outstanding event, the College was in a hangar at the Midway field. Chicago Midway International was located on the city's southwest side, eight miles from Chicago's Loop. It was in the area of 55th Street and Cicero Avenue. This was the setting for Alfred Hitchcock's "North by Northwest" starring Cary Grant. Incidental, I had both of these gentlemen on flights. Yes, this is where I (Argie) went to school.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

These pretty faces were the faces of tired, enthusiastic and very smart young ladies who were pushed and pushed again to learn all that was required to be the "best of the best" American Airline stewardesses. What a privilege. Class 57-6 1957

Later as my first domicile, I lived on Wrightwood Ave. north of the Loop.
From Wrightwood Avenue, I took the trolley car to catch my plane. I loved getting on the trolley in front of a Chinese laundry where interesting people came for conversation. Interesting for me because this was such a different world than southern New Mexico.

Becoming a stewardess, was not an easy experience for me. I had never experienced the rigors of education as I encountered in that hanger. It was hard, learning all the Stewardess Manual stuff like: Administrative Procedures, Basic Procedures, Restrictions and Irregularities, Convair Procedures, DC-6 Procedures, DC-7 Procedures and later 707 Boeing Jet Procedures. Along with all this, there was a section on Special Procedures, Emergency Procedures, Oxygen, Ill, and Injured, Forms and Reports and of course the Reference Material. Each of these topics could find a book written about the emotional trauma of learning well, fast and applying the concepts in a professional manner. Step by step, day by day, I knew that I must graduate from the school on the south side of Chicago.

From the rural area of southern New Mexico, I well remember the first time walking down the streets of Chicago. Where on earth were the open spaces of Animas Valley and Cotton City? Going to church, riding the subway and the elevated rail, was an awesome awakening. I saw the laundry hanging outside apartments as we fly by the flats on the elevated "L" train. I will never forget the face of a child looking out a window as our eyes met, never to meet again, thinking, "Oh, I am so glad that I grew up in southwestern New Mexico. "Thank you Mother and Daddy for the life of "Don't Fence me in." To this day, I can feel the emotions of that brief moment.

One Sunday riding back to the hangar from church, looking out the window of the subway, the "L", and then the bus, I missed the exit where I was supposed to get off. The bus driver announced, "End of line." It was dark and I had no idea where I was. The driver was helpful enough to direct me to a bar around the corner for a phone. The bar man said, "Use the phone outside." I had no idea who to call, where to go, or what to do and can you believe very little money. All I knew was that I was on the south side of Chicago and that my parents would be worried if they knew anything about me being on the south side of Chicago, at night! On a very low level of awareness I knew of gangs. To make things worse, the day was a cold April day and night to which one of my new friends at the hangar had responded by insisting that I borrow her fur coat or fur looking full length coat. And here I stood in the cold night in front of a bar not knowing what to do. No transportation to the airport hangar, no money for a taxi, and young and pretty in a fur coat. You guessed it! I prayed in my Catholic friend's fur coat. A car stopped with several people in it. I couldn't tell but it looked somewhat like a family. Thanks to above, they took me to the airport and dropped me off without engaging in much conversation. Wherever you are, THANK YOU!

Back to my training in the hangar.

I did not spend every minute in the hangar because I had to learn to look "pretty" and for me it was learning how to get from point A to point B and back, again. Me, with all my sequencing challenges, that was not easy! One of the places that I had to figure out was how to get to the tailor for uniform fittings. I will never forget that kind man, Colangelo, when phone numbers were easy for me to remember.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Take a look at the phone number. Yes, life was more simple. Mr. Colangelo was a kind man and very talented as a tailor. I say talented, because he designed my American Airline uniform to make me, Argie Hoskins, really look like a stewardess. He knew where to cut and paste. Thank you, Mr. Colangelo.

Another "funny" comes to my immediate memory, like learning to mix drinks. I had never tasted the fruits of the art of mixing. Wow! I seemed to catch on faster than the most. Figure that! Martinis and Manhattans. Can't remember which has olive??? And which the cherry??? I think that the Martinis have the olive and Manhattans, the cherry. Oh, well, I never indulged anyway.

The other experience that quickly comes to my mind was the need to know how to find the rope in the exit windows, pull it on to the wing and down to the ground with me hanging on to the rope. I did it! This is when I learned the difference between “knowing and doing.” Another “doing” was the courage I had to find to control my heart and my mind and JUMP! Yes, out the door and down the evacuation slide! I did it! And I can't ride an escalator going down. The escalator moves, the slide didn't! I remember that thrill as if it were this very day. Sometimes I dream of the excitement.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Trained at the historical Midway Airport "Crossroads of the World," world's busiest airport. Class 57-6 1957
Graduation was held at the historical Stock Yard in Chicago. That was an event!
Here we are dressed with our new brown uniforms and spectator shoes.
The spectator is coming back in style. I am glad because I like the two-tone in color look.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

AND here it is! My important paper that said, "successfully completed" and signed by Mildred Jackson (Millie) along with C. R. Smith and tremendous instructors. Hallelujah and Hallelujah, again!

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

These are my first pair of wings.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

As I left stewardess training, this is how I looked with short hair. One day a hair stylist came to the school to "fix us up" with a new hair "do." WOW! I could not believe what happened to my long, beautiful hair. It was very hard to keep the tears from bursting forth. I had thick, lovely locks and then "no hair." After the hair "do," the photographer took our pictures. Pictures to send home to the local newspapers announcing our training success. This smile was the best that I could "muster" up. Look at the back of the hair.

On the 21st of May 1957, I earned my wings. I was more excited over this pinning than when a couple years later, I was pinned by an Annapolis graduate who had become a navy pilot.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

This navy man was a good friend. I appreciated his wonderful mother. I met Bob on a flight from L.A. to San Diego. After the flight, the A.A. crew had several minutes in the crew lounge before working the trip back to L.A. Captain Clarke said, "Argie, go out and visit with that young man." Clarke had seen us visiting on the plane. So, I went out to a concession area and there Bob was wondering around. We visited, he walked me to the gate and a wonderful relationship unfolded. I still have his wings. That is how the crew worked, always watching out for each other. Where is Capt. Clarke, one of A.A.'s best!

This Captain Clarke, Stewardess Jennings, the copilot and I all belonged to the same church. We didn't smoke or drink. I mention this because we all were together on the flight deadheading from El Paso, Texas to L.A. We had a fun time. Captain Clark said, "Let's take this flight to Heaven." He was a wonderful man! Good clean fun all the way.

Speaking of El Paso, I flew there a lot. My Aunt Boo, Uncle Bill and cousins lived there. During my layovers in El Paso, Aunt Boo picked me up at all hours, took me home, doted over me and took me back to the airport. I loved it. The rest of the crew stayed at the Hilton Hotel downtown. My favorite cousin Effie was young and how I loved her. I was living with them when I applied to American Airlines. I had a boy friend there, also. It was always so nice to get a home cooked meal with lots of fruit. Aunt Boo and I had always been like sisters. The kind of sisters who always got along. She was my mother's only sister. She was so excited to have me flying for AA.

Early on in my career, and it could have been a very short career, I boarded the Convair from Chicago to Indianapolis. Never had I seen the Captain or Copilot and I was scared to death. First month of flying! I was the only stewardess and no other Stewardess to help or cue me into the right choices. On to the plane in a ladylike, dignified manner and check all the necessary things like the Service Kit, magazines, special meals, pillows, blankets, where the coats should be hung, and check to see if this is a place that someone would like to come back to over and over, again.

Knowing that I would need to memorize the 40 names in about 40 minutes and serve a meal, my, oh, my, this was an absolute test in sequencing, multitasking, and time management. Well, I got the names down, but the plane started to descend and I had not served the meal. Running into the cockpit, I was so nervous, "I haven't started to serve the meal." "We are landing" came the voice from the Captain. I felt like jumping out the door. All I could hear, "Get started." In a few minutes, the captain came back and helped me get the food served and with good humor. We landed! The pilots got off the place and I stayed on the plane for 45 minutes. I sat there knitting and crying. When the crew came back, the captain brought me a candy bar, smiled and announced that the passengers were coming. Never had I received such a needed gift. Dear man and I don't even remember his name. American hired great people!

Another early awaking was in Lexington, Kentucky! This another, one flight, reserve, "on call" deal and no other Stewardess. Were they trying to "wash me out" with all these "one gal" all alone flights?? The crew, which incidentally included me, Argie Hoskins, arrived at a small motel for the evening. I hung my uniform on a dresser drawer , showered, curled my hair and went to bed. I had forgotten to set the alarm. BANG, BANG, AND ANOTHER BANG! "Our cab is here." Threw on my uniform, curlers still in my hair, no makeup and teeth not brushed, hurried my red embarrassed face out the door and into the cab. I will never and I mean never forget Lexington, Kentucky. I bet the crew, if they are still alive, are still laughing over that one. Glad to have brought them some laughter. Again, I thought, am I really cut out for this job!

I remember walking into Crew Schedule/Operation and the Stewardess office being right there with the supervising staff to take a look. " Wrong color of nail polish!"
I quickly took it off and on went the right color. American Airlines red is what I called it. A few pounds over weight, "Argie, do you have a girdle on?"
"Yes, mam, Playtex."
"Well, you need to lose a few pounds."
I wish I had the same supervision now.
We were proud to be stewardesses for American Airlines. We looked sharp and served with enthusiasm, but always in a ladylike manner.

I needed to go west, so I put in for a transfer to L.A. leaving Chicago behind. Chicago had been exciting for me. One morning, I got up to go grocery shopping to find that my car was not in the place I had parked. I looked and looked, again. No car. As I was walking back into the apartment, way down the alley, my car! It was unlocked and no gas. I was so pleased that after the "joy" ride, they had returned "Autumn Leaves."

I moved from Chicago to L. A. Driving in my Chevy convertible, "Autumn Leaves" by name, I drove from Chicago to St. Lewis. After having a flat tire and no money to buy another tire, I decided that I needed a rest and stopped. Next morning, I left with no spare tire for the next leg on my journey to Animas, New Mexico. Home, here I come! Driving from St. Lewis to Las Cruces to stay with my brother C.L. and wife Joan. I arrived there late and thankful that I had a great car, "Autumn Leaves" to speed me through the roads of the Midwest to the Southwest. Next day on to Animas to see Mom and Dad.

From Family History

Early photo of Argie, brother C.L., Mama and Daddy

I had a new appreciation for their simple, honest lives. They were amazed that their little girl had been to the big city and now made her way home, and all by herself. Was that ever so nice! Mother rode to L.A. with me.

Now in L.A. and back to work, I knew that my love for American Airlines would be forever. The memories are wired in and they are many, many. I could write a book. I could not believe that in my heart and mind, I had moved from thinking that I could not make it as a stewardess to knowing that I was one of the best. It took a lot of hard work to overcome telling myself that I was a shy, unattractive, dumb nothing with no one caring, and I could add a few expletives that I can not say or allow myself to think. With that being said, the one thing that I had going for me was the "hard work" ethic which had been instilled in me while growing up in a mining camp and on a cattle ranch. I dug my heels in, knocked the cow "stuff" off, "ponyed" up as the cowboys would say and viewed myself as all the things that I wanted to be. After a while, I was the person who I WAS! That is why I loved American Airlines, it challenged me to be me.

I learned the lesson that talent is more than dancing, singing, acting, and looking "pretty!" I learned that I had the talent for understanding people and feeling their hearts. My passengers love me because I gave them service. I learned from my training that you don't ask if someone wants a pillow, you have the pillow in hand to give it to them. What a wonderful lesson! Don't make people ask for your love. Give love without asking for it back. I got it back. As a stewardess, I was committed to serve others and it was easy for me. I learned something about me that was rewarding. Thank you, American Airlines!

Daddy worked, as a windmiller for the Diamond A, Victoria Land and Cattle Company ranch in Animas Valley, New Mexico. This ranch was located between El Paso, Texas and Douglas, Arizona. From El Paso to Douglas, American Airlines' flight path took us right over the ranch. Mother knew what time of the day that I flew over the ranch house. She would take her apron and wave to the plane as we flew over. The plane (DC 7) would be descending into the area of Douglas at an altitude which made Mama visible as I hurried to the window to see her. One day a passenger asked me what I was looking at outside the window. She laughed when I said, "My Mother!" On another occasion, as we were flying over the ranch, the plane banked to the right and then to the left as a salute to Mama. Yes, there was Mama, this time waving a rather large white dish towel or cup towel as we called it. "What is happening?" voiced a passenger." Well, we just aim to please." Little did anyone know that the person who we were pleasing was that little lady on the ground waving to her daughter. I can picture what Mama was doing in that small house, making it a home with her homemade bread, pickled peaches, washing clothes in the wranger washing machine and hurrying out to the garden to dig carrots for dinner. Perhaps she was on her way to gather eggs to be candled to take to the market in Lordsburg or wringing off a chicken's head for dinner. I knew this life well, before I started on my journey away from Animas Valley. I love my parents!

Cormac McCarthy's written words capture my world of southern New Mexico. I have experienced a loss not meeting this man whose imagination of the reality of my world is exciting to read and imagine. I having been born in Deming, New Mexico to a father who held the soil of Animas Valley in his huge hands as he artistically repaired the windmills among the puzzle of dust devils, cockleburs, thistles, devil's claws and thumbleweeds only to be a footnote in the sands of time that historically herald the southern area of the Land of Enchantment. Can you even imagine the threads of emotion I felt as I, a stewardess, flew over this land below me? How I wished that I could tell my passengers about that life "down" there.

Cormac McCarthy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cormac McCarthy was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on July 20, 1933, and moved with his family to Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1937. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cormac_McCarthy - 72k - Cached - Similar pages -

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Argie Hoskins and Daddy Allen E. Hoskins
at the airport in El Paso, Texas. 1957

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Argie Hoskins and Mother Edna Hoskins
at the airport in El Paso, Texas. 1957

These parents lived through the depression, but I was never hungry. Poor, but I didn't know it. They taught the values of honesty, staying out of debt, working very hard, being a good citizen of our country, respecting the flag, appreciating America, staying clean, saying "Yes mam, No sir, Please and Thank you for the good meal. May I be excused? How can I help you?" having good MANNERS, and faith in God. We appreciated our immigrant ancestors because they had sacrificed and worked hard to become a part of our great United States of America. I made a choice to follow the teachings of my parents. This is the foundation of my character that I brought to American Airlines. I used it to become an excellent Stewardesss.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Argie Hoskins El Paso, Texas June 1957

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Click on the above picture to view additional photos.
1959 American Airlines uniform
Claire Bullock, Argie Hoskins, Barbara Whaley, Gerry McMasters

On Jan. 25, 1959, American became the first airline to offer coast-to-coast jet service with the Boeing 707. On this historical flight,I felt like a celebrity being one of the stewardesses to be picked out of 2,000 plus stewardesses.

The year of 1959 with American Airline was an exciting year for an airline stewardess because the population was thrilled to be riding on the jet. I proudly have my American Airline Jet Training Boeing 707 card. “This certifies the Argie Hoskins is a qualified Stewardess on American's 707 Jet Flagship. [signed]Ralph Radcliffe, Director-Stewardess Service."

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

American Airlines Boeing 707 Inaugural Flight 2 January 25, 1959
Left to Right: Norman Rice, ?,?, Captain Charles Macatee, Argie Hoskins, ?, Claire Bullock, Bob Bisbee

edit

The Westwood Ward newsletter:
This and That
Westwood Second Ward's ARGIE HOSKINS participated in an historical event Sunday when she was selected from among American Airlines stewardesses to accompany the
Los Angeles to New York jet flight inaugurating four and one-half hour cross country service.

Click here to hear IAGblog Podcast interview

Addison, I had been trained and had flown the Convair, DC 6 and DC7, so I knew the flight procedures well. And now being trained on what we called the 707 Mock was not difficult.

I was based in LA Several of us were being trained for the 707 flights. All four of us Stewardess roommates were being trained. Sometimes, we all flew together on the same flight. That was a blast! When we got to N. Y., we went to shows and had a lot of fun. I remember us sunbathing on the beach in Santa Monica, boarding our plane to N. Y., and as we walked down the Avenue in N. Y. to Andy Williams show, it snowed on us. What a life!
I have a journal entry on the 14th of January 1959:
Supervisor Jean called and gave me a special assignment, “You and Claire (a roommate), are going to N. Y. on the 707 on the 25th and the 29th,” which is important. Wow. After training for the 707, which meant continued commitment to be focused and disciplined, this was an honor. Again, I thought, how do I multitask, sequence all that the job demands. Could I do it??

My wind-miller, cowboy father had said every morning went he lighted the gas stove in my bedroom,
“Get up and amount to something, Sis.”

And I remember the words of C. R. Smith: "We strive to treat every customer with dignity and respect to make each person feel like the most important person in the world.”
Yes, I could do that!
"Until the 25th, I was very busy doing public relations for American. I went with one of the American Airlines sales representatives to meet and deliver Models of the 707 to VIPs in the LA area: President of a Stock Exchange, President and Vice President of California Bank, President of Citizen's Bank, leading advertising businesses, Pacific Mutual, Mayor Paulson, the publisher of the LA times, and many, many more individuals, President of Southern California Edison Co., and others who would be on the Inaugural Flight."

My journal entry of January 23, 1959: Friday:
“We stayed in class all day long. We had our food service procedures today,"
which meant checking the buffet area for all needed item, what to turn on, what to turn off, all the food and beverage items for the flight including table clothes, Wine and Food menus, cocktail napkins, stirrers in preparation for a several course dining experience with special appetizers, salad, entree, dessert and fruit candy. If something was missing, we needed to know who to contact.

Prior to that Friday, we had been briefed on the emergency procedures.

Another journal entry January 24, 1959, Saturday:
“I went to the airport, we finally got on the jet after much delay.” Now, that was the exciting day. I remember the feelings which flowed over me as I walked on the aircraft. Thinking, "This is the real thing."

More entry for January 24:
"Had my hair cut and fixed by Mr. Reid, very pleased. Came home after appointment and got ready for the flight."

Journal entry of January 25, 1959:
"Claire and I got up at 5:30, dressed, had a bite to eat and out to the airport, an hour and a half before the flight departure. While we were being debriefed, a newspaper man took our pictures. We boarded our aircraft and while having our pre-flight check, we had Gov. Brown and Mrs. Pat Brown, Red Moiser (AA Exec.), President C. R. Smith, Miss Jane Wyman, Mr. and Mrs. Hill plus others stroll through the plane. Mrs. Brown christened the plane, "Flagship California" with speeches by Gov. Brown and C. R. Smith. In different locations on the plane, bouquets of yellow and lavender flowers welcomed our guests. Oh yes, the stewardesses received orchids to wear. The entire flight was made up of very influential and successful people; newspaper people and cameraman, plus other wonderful passengers. The passengers were milling from one cabin to the other, Mercury to Coach. It was like a press conference and confusing for me. I gave Miss Wyman, my flight duster to wear. That being the dress, we wore during the food service. The task at hand was to serve our passengers; beverage & food with first class service in a very informal atmosphere, one big happy family. Everyone was having a grand time up in the "dream of sunshine and clouds." It was a magnificent experience and lots of hard work.

"We arrived in N. Y. 4 hours and 9 minuets later. A band was playing when we opened the door and bright lights were shining with people taking pictures."

"Our debriefing after the flight was interesting. We are helping work out all the things which need to be changed with the Boeing 707 stewardess procedural operations."

"We were so tired, Claire and I said, Never again."

After a good night's sleep, we bid the 707 flights again and again!

Claire Bullcock, Barbara Whaley, Argie Hoskins, Gerry McMasters

Through my blog and searching the internet, I have found Gerry McMasters Lockhart. What a Thrill! Only sad to find out that both Claire and Barbara have passed away. The lesson to be learned is that time passes so quickly and those who were dear to me may be gone when I get around to finding them. Life steps away into eternity, tomorrows into yesterdays. I will enjoy my today in a better fashion with love and continued commitment.

I am personally dedicating this blog's history to Claire Bullock, Barbara Whaley and Gerry McMasters, my wonderful friends, room mates and American Airlines stewardesses.

The following article appeared in the Spring 1959 of the United Aircraft Corporation's Bee-Hive trade magazine.

To view each page of this article:
*Click on the article *Then enlarge the article by clicking on the magnifying glass which will appear in the upper right hand area of the screen *Drag the magnified article around the screen to read it *Back arrow to return to blog.
Worth your time!

Minor correction: Claire and Argie were on the Inaugural flight on the 25th of January. We were all trained at the same time and soon flew together on that beautiful Boeing 707. I personally feel that Emily Watson did an outstanding job of capturing the world of Four Jills for the jets . Claire and Barbara had someone following them around to obtain these wonderful pictures and to get a peek into our flight experience.

I am so grateful that I have kept all my "stuff." The years have made "stuff" more meaningful. Along side an impressive Boeing 707 model that my sons gave to me, sits my blue uniform cap. Our family appreciates the foot prints of history because they direct our foot prints toward the future.

Four Jills for the Jets
By Emily Watson

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Claire Bullock, Argie Hoskins, Barbara Whaley, Gerry McMasters
So much fun!

Argie Hoskins and Gerry McMasters on the Boeing 707

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

One day, I was in the stewardess office just hanging out, chatting with Kay Hansen. I didn't see her often, so this was "neat" and I loved to hear her personality. "We need to have a retirement home for American Airlines pilots and stewardesses, so they can sit around and tell each other about their varicose veins." We were talking about the importance of staying in our seats until the seat belt sign went off to protect our self from experiencing G forces on our body. Well, I didn't understand the physics of the force, but I had felt the impact. And now I see what varicose veins look like! At the time, Kay was serious about a home for us to live and sit in our wheel chairs. The underlining idea was a place where good friends could live. A place, where the wonderful friendships of the past could continue or be renewed during our last days, would be a joy and for good conversation. Thank you, Kay for always thinking of others and American Airlines.

Celebrity Passengers

2009-01-16T13:06:00.000-08:00

VIP passengers before jet service:

Marge and Gower Champion
A happy day! Everything went well. They were so personable. I can see their smiling faces still as they conversed with the stewardesses. On board we not only had the Champions, but we had the greatest Girl Scout cookies to serve our passengers. I put the Gerber apple sauce jars, which were always on the plane, in the ice to get nice and chilled. When we needed a snack. . . don't tell! Just buy Girl Scout cookies and chill the apple sauce and my, oh, my.
Marge Champion at IMDB
Marge Champion at Wikipedia

Gower Champion at IMDB
Gower Champion at Wikipedia

Robert Goulet
He was so easy to visit with on that late evening flight.
Robert Goulet at IMDB
Robert Goulet at Wikipedia

Vic Damone
What a voice! The other stewardess brought a baseball on every flight for the VIP passengers to sign. He signed it. What a novel idea for remembering what I have forgotten. I would imagine she has fun with that collection.
Vic Damone at IMDB
Vic Damone at Wikipedia

Dinah Shore
Another phenomenal 1959 voice with a warm personality and delightful to have around was Dinah Shore. What I remember about her was her contagious smile.
Dinah Shore at IMDB
Dinah Shore at Wikipedia

Harry Belaforte
I know that most everyone knows who Harry Belaforte is from his talent which he has spread around for all to enjoy.
Harry Belaforte at IMDB
Harry Belaforte at Wikipedia

Dana Andrews
Got on the plane and immediately crawled under his seat and went to sleep. I gave him a pillow for more comfort. That was before the jet days and all the stuff under the seats. He slept until I woke him to sit up and belt up. He was nice.
Dana Andrews at IMDB
Dana Andrews at Wikipedia

Gene Tierney
One evening, I boarded American Airline in El Paso to find one of the most beautiful and troubled ladies I ever met. After the seat belt sign went off, she walked up and down the isle of the plane all the way to L.A. I asked her if I could help and she told me that she was ill, had a handicapped child and that she was very discouraged with her life. Her presence made me very sad. She was so beautiful and tender.
Gene Tierney on IMDB
Gene Tierney on Wikipedia

Robert Cope
I was flying from L.A. to El Paso. One day an agent asked if they could take my picture with the actor named Robert Cope. After the photo scene, the agent said, “Give me your address and we will send a copy of the picture.” I never got the picture and I don't know anything about Robert Cope. Who was Robert Cope? Perhaps Robert and the other guy bet if they could get my address and their story worked. Oh, well!

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Dean Martin
Dean was an actor with John Wayne in the film Rio Bravo. From L. A., he was traveling back and forth to the Old Tucson Studios, just outside Tucson, Arizona. I was working the flight from L.A. to El Paso. At that time A.A. had a stop in Tucson. We became more than passenger and stewardess. Of course, I knew his name, but he knew my name. We visited, laughed, connected with energy to make the relationship real. During a conversation, he said, "You will never be a singer because you talk through your nose." The nerve! I practiced talking. He said, "You won't make it." He invited me out to the Old Tucson set. Could not make it. He invited me to Las Vegas to the Sands Hotel where he was going to be on a certain date for an engagement. Did not go. Many times, a Mr. Grey was with him on the plane. He introduced him as his agent. Any way, I loved getting to know Dean Martin. Once he told me that he drove by the Temple on Santa Monica and that if he weren't what he is, he would be the same religion as I. Dean said, "My drinking image of being a drunk is only that, an image." Dean was a kind, sensitive gentleman with a tender heart. Thank you for your "one of a kind" voice.
Dean Martin at IMDB
Dean Martin at Wikipedia

Dale Robertson
I flew to El Paso a lot. One evening, flying back from El Paso to L. A., I boarded to find a problem with one of the passengers. She had gotten on the flight in Houston. Her story to me was that she had fallen in love with a man not of her faith. They had met in Europe that summer and planned a marriage. She had gone to Houston to meet his parents. While visiting, the parents announced that they would disown their son if he married her. Arranging for a friend in L.A to meet her, the love of her life put her on the plane bound for L.A. She had taken a lot of pills, was very despondent and filled with tears. About half way to L.A., she got up and came to the buffet where I had positioned myself across the isle from where she was sitting. Dale Robertson was sitting in the seat in front of the buffet. The lady lunged for the door of the plane and pushed me. Immediately, Dale came to my rescue. Helping me get the lady back to her seat and sat with her the rest of the trip. The crew radioed ahead for help with her on departing the plane. Dale is another passenger who I got to know on a casual level. Often , he flew on American Airlines to go to the horse races at the Ruidoso Downs Race Track. Another really nice man. From this experience I learned the lesson that religion can destroy relationships as well as welding relationships. So sad!
Dale Robertson at IMDB
Dale Robertson at Wikipedia

Maureen O'Hara
I don't remember much about this beautiful lady. I didn't have much conversation with her. The one thing that I remember is the energy which I felt as she walked down the isle. There was nothing passive about her demeanor. I felt she was in charge. And I might add lovely!
Maureen O'Hara at IMDB
Maureen O'Hara at Wikipedia

Stephen Boyd
Stephen Boyd was a young actor when he boarded American Airlines to be on my flight. He was one of the first actors I had on board. He seemed shy to me. I will always remember him because I felt like I wanted to know him as a person. Back in the days when I was flying, not only did we take down the names of our passengers, but we figured out ways to talk to them. We engaged them in conversation, tied the conversation to our memories. So when or if we had them on our flight again, we had something to talk about for an opener. One thing however we did not sit on the arm of the seat. I got reminded of that from a supervisor one time as she observed me sitting on the arm of the seat visiting with a passenger. I didn't get an invitation to visit with the strong, handsome Stephen Boyd. I must close this by saying that I did get a sideward smile as the seat belt sign went on for the landing.
Stephen Boyd at IMDB
Stephen Boyd at Wikipedia

Hope Lange
About the same time that I had Stephen Boyd on a flight, I had Hope Lange. In fact, memory tells me that it was the same flight. She was a few years older then I, however she looked somewhat younger. And now she is gone. Where has all the time gone???? She had a sweet personality and I enjoyed her being on the plane.
Hope Lange at IMDB
Hope Lange at Wikipedia

Gene Fullmer
This boxer was so nice. We had something in common, our religion. It was fun visiting with him.
As a side note, my son Randy and Gene's nephew Troy are good friends.
Gene Fuller a IMDB
Gene Fullmer at Wikipedia

Lee Marvin
As Lee Marvin was deplaning, an older lady was having trouble getting herself together to get off the plane. Without hesitation, he didn't just offer, but took her arm, her things, and away they went. She was pleased, I was a gentleman in action. I thought, "This is the aggressive, rough actor?" He is a dear man.
Lee Marvin at IMDB
Lee Marvin at Wikipedia

Pier Angeli
She was on her way to Juarez, Mexico to get a divorce from Vic Damone. That is what she told me when I visited with her. She was sad with her green eyes, looking even more green with tears. Very, very pretty lady! I often felt like crying after visiting with sad people. I just cared the best I could for the few minutes that I had with them. She was kind.
Pier Angeli at IMDB
Pier Angeli at Wikipedia

Other VIPs that I remember little about:

Jayne Mansfield
I remember thinking, "Another Marilyn Monroe, more glamours." I felt sad when she was killed in an auto accident.
Jayne Mansfield at IMDB
Jayne Mansfield at Wikipedia

Herb Shriner and wife
Herb Shriner at IMDB
Herb Shriner at Wikipedia

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Argie Hoskins and Gary Crosby (Bing's son)
Palladium Ballroom Sunset Blvd.

Jane Russell
When I had Jane Russell on the flight, I was still shy about talking to VIPs. During taking the names and destinations, all I could do was smile and give my best service. I learned that service was the foundation of relationships. Then you can talk. If the passengers were not on the VIP list, it was easy for me to visit. Somewhat later, I realized that we are more alike than different. And everyone, no matter who, wants the pillow to be offer, not to have to ask for it.
Jane Russell at Wikipedia

Billy Eckstine
Now this was exciting because Billy Eckstine's music was my kind of music from jazz to pop. I grew up with country music when country was country, but my new world had introduced me to another venue and I loved jazz, big band and pop. Speaking of venue, one evening I had a date who privileged me to the Moulin Rouge on Sunset Blvd where Schmo, Lewis Armstrong was playing. Schmo sang right in my face. What a thrill! Another time we went some place to listen to Dixieland jazz. Yes, it was exciting to have Billy Eckstine on my flight.
Billy Eckstine at Wikipedia

An exciting day for Jet travel! American Airlines Inaugural Flight!
I am fifth from the left. Yes, there I am. My roommate Claire Bullock is second from the right.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

January 25, 1959 If you know any of the crew members, please put their names on the blog. My room mate Claire Bullock passed away.

American Airlines Jet Celebrity Passengers

Inaugural 707 Jet Flight American Airlines
Passenger Manifest
Flight 2 January 25, 1959

MERCURY SECTION

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Adamson
Robert Adamson
Aviation Department, Shell Oil Co.

Alcott, Carrell
CBS Radio News

Babcock, C. Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Binns
Joseph Binns
Exec. V. P. Waldorf Hotel

Mr. and Mrs. Bull
Frank Bull
Sports Announcer

Meuschki
NBC Monitor

Clark, Wilbur
Owner, Desert Inn Hotel
Las Vegas

Collins, W. C.
Pres. of Northrop Aircraft

Dreyfuss, Henry
Architect-Designer

Epley, M
Long Beach Press Telegram

Fowler, Will
AAL Public Relations

Frabutt, J. A.
Pres. Int'l Telephone and Telegraph

Fry, Charles
V. P. Austin-Field-Fry

Grainger, I
Pres. Cera Exchange Bank N. Y.

Metz, Rex
Cameraman

Mrs. Cordel Hicks
L. A. Times

Hogan, William
Sr. V. P. Treasurer, AAL

Jacome, Alex
Pres. Jacome Dept. Store

Jamison, Frank G.
Pres. Pacific Automation

Kirk, J. Paul
Pres. Morris P. Kirk Co.

Kraugh, E. D.
L. A. Herald Express

Mr. and Mrs. Abe Lastfogel
Abe Lastfogel
Pres. William Morris Agency

Miss Maryon Lears
Merchandise Mgr. Silverweeds

Levitan, Paul
CBS T.V. News

Dr. and Mrs. Majer
Robert Majer
Physician

Mr. and Mrs. Mytinger
Lee Mytinger
Corp. Sec'y and CoOwner Mytinger and CasselBerry

Mr. and Mrs. M. Pollard
M. Pollard
Airport Commissioner L. A.

Power, A. H.
Partner Ernst and Ernst

Reiger, Henry
United Press

SMITH, C. R.
Pres. American Airlines

Smitter, Revel H.
Sales Mgr. Waugh Engineering

Mr. and Mrs. Stabler
R. A. Stabler
Pres. Filmasters, Inc.

Stanton, Dr. Frank
Pres. CBS

Stewart, Sam
Coplay Newpapers

Stoneham, Herace
Pres. San Francisco Giants

Summer, William
Pasadena Star News & Independent

Thomas, Bill
L. A. Mirror News

Mr. and Mrs. Karl Weber
Karl Weber
Chair of BD. Weber Aircraft

Weis, Elmer J.
Exec. V. P. Pacific Pumps, Inc.

Winnett, P. G.
Chair of BD. Bullocks

Mrs. G. Wright
89 years of age
Mr. Wright, G.

Miss Jane Wyman
Actress
This was the world of show business on Flight 2. Miss Wyman was filmed wearing my flight duster. Flight dusters were worn while serving a meal. We had our choice as a crew to either wear or not wear the duster. It made a more appropriate dress for the food service. One, of the important reasons for the cover up, was that it kept the uniform clean. It was flattering to me that she wore the same size duster. I still have it, minus the belt, in my closet. Jane's company was pleasant to be around. Jane played the part of an American Airline Stewardess in the movie, "Three Guys named Mike." As a side note, she was married to President Ronald. Reagan.
Jane Wyman at IMDB
Jane Wyman at Wikipedia

Mr. and Mrs. Glen Wallichs
Glen Wallichs
Pres. Capital Records

Klein

Dr. Clark Millikan
Cal Tech

ROYAL COACHMAN SECTION

Barnett, L
Pres. Music Corp. of American

Barnett, Mrs. L
Barnett, L
2 1/2 year Son

Barnett, Norman
V. P. Barnett Int'l Forwarders

Bassetti, Miss M.
SFO

Bath, Phil
AAL Photographer

Berlin, Franklin G.
Pres. Beemak Plastics

Blodgett, Robert
AA Admiral

Bowers, H. E.
Exec. J. E. Haddock Co.

Buller, E.
Mayor Atwater,
California

Burgess, Wm. H.
Electronic Specialty Co.

Burgess, Mrs. Wm. H.

Caverly, R. J.
Hd. Int'l Div. Hilton Hotels

Christophenson, Enoch
Past Mayor
Turlock, California

Clever, Dr. Walter
Optometrist & Designer

Clever, Mrs. Walter

Elmore, John
Prominent Farmer
Brawley, California

Feitler, Michael
Manager Oakland Realty Co.

Galloway, Neal
Merced County
California

Gore, W. L.
V. P. Aerojet Corp.

Gundell, G.
V. P. Nat'l Dairy Association

Haag, Mrs. E. H.
Wife, Sales Mgr. Air Products Co.

Harris, John H.
Pres. of Ice Capades

Havas, Gilbert
Cr. Analyst Bank of America

Johnson, R. M.
West. Reg. Mgr. Gen'l Controls

Jones, Dr. J. B.
Pres. Abundavita

Jones, Mrs. Dee

Koda, Wm.
Rice Grower, Worlds Largest

Koda, Mrs. Wm

Larkin, Mr. Fritz
V. P. Security Bank

Lavender, Mr. G.
Railway Express Driver

Little, Mr. Lee
Radio KTVC

Lunn
Nat'l Dairy Association

MacMorris, David
DCA Eastern Rep. Sunstrand Turbo Div.

McGrew, Wayne
V. P. Partlow Co.
E. Hartford, N. Y.

O'Conner, N.
V. P. N. W. Ayer & Son
NYC

Parkinson, Allen
Pres. Sleep-Eze Co., Inc.

Partlow, Howard Jr.
Pres. Partlow Co.
E. Hartford, N. Y.

Patterson, Lawrence E.
Pres. Pepsi Cola
Santa Ana

Ray, Jack
V. P. Sales - Gen'l Controls

Rubel, E. E.
Partner - Roemer & Rubel Buick

Rubin, M.
Pres. California Jersey Mills

Smith, Russell
Pres. Avery Label

Stebbins, Roger
Pacific Coast Exec. - Sears

Tingdale
AA Operation Service

Toner, Miss Alice
Nurse - Larry Barnett Family

Watson, T.
V. P. N.W. Ayer & Son
N. Y.

Way, Gordon
V. P. Bechtel
SFO

Willett, Bernard
V. P. Space Tech. Lab. - Greenwich Div.

Wolff, John
Sales Mgr., Heating Gen'l, Control

Froglich, Dr. J.
Jet Propulsion

Allen

Lombardi

I know that every flight had the most wonderful people walking through our doors. And now the names of most are long forgotten. Thank you for flying American Airlines, it was a pleasure to serve you.

VIP Passengers after the initial Jet flight

Helen Keller
I consider having been touched by her life, a privilege indeed. The Helen Keller story is so inspirational. She made a difference in the paths she crossed. As she got off the plane, I thought about what it means to see and hear. When I am feeling down, I think of her, an example for all of us who whine. Oh, American Airlines, thank you for letting me fly with you!
Helen Keller at IMDB
Helen Keller at Wikipedia

Ricardo Montalban
Very good looking and suave. He didn't talk a lot.
Ricardo Montalban at IMDB
Ricardo Montalban at Wikipedia

Alfred Hitchcock
He asked me to get him change for a $20.00 bill to pay for his taxi cab after the flight.
Alfred Hitchcock at IMDB
Alfred Hitchcock at Wikipedia

Hugh O'Brian
He is my “could have” opportunity to date an actor.
This is how it all happened. I had been to a stake conference in Westchester, California where Charlotte Sheffield spoke.
Charlotte Sheffield (born c. 1937) was Miss USA 1957.

Sister Sheffield spoke of her escort Hugh O'Brian, who had graciously respected her standards as they attended many events associated with the Miss USA festivities. She spoke of him as being a gentleman.

Well, straight from the conference I went to the airport for my assignment to New York on the wonderful new jet, Boeing 707. On the VIP list, that we got as the flight crew, was Hugh O'Brian's name.

When I took his name, I told him that I had just heard Charlotte Sheffield tell the congregation what a gentleman he was. That was back in the days when the stewardess checked names and took names of passengers. We conversed over the coincidence of here he was on my flight to New York.

The cocktail service brought another surprise. I offered and he said, “Since today is Mormon day, I will have tomato juice.”

Then the age old question, “Would you like tea, coffee or milk?”

“Milk” was the returned answer.
We were having fun. After the meal service Hugh came to the buffet area and visited. He was on his way to New York to judge the Miss Rheingold Beer contest. He said that he had some time while there and would like to call me and we could get together. I was excited.

After the crew got our transportation ready to go to our hotel, the Plaza at Fifth Ave and Central Park, I got my knitting out for the trip into the city. As I sat there knitting, the captain said, “Who in this car is that man trying to get their attention?” I looked up and there he was waving and looking at me. All the way to town, we played the game. Hugh and Argie

Hugh O'Brian was a real gentleman!

When I was teaching at Waianae High in Hawaii, I heard that he had done something for the youth in Hawaii. Memories!
Hugh O'Brian at IMDB
Hugh O'Brian at Wikipedia

Lucille Ball
I worked the trip on the day before the Oscars from New York to L. A. and on the late night trip after the Oscars, I worked the trip back to New York. I had a lot of important movie people on the trips. Going and coming, I had Lucille Ball. She was a neat lady. After having one trip with her, she acted like we were old friends. The night back to New York, she took me up and down the isles introducing me to the passengers she knew and she knew many of them. That was a blast! Lucille Ball introduced me to the president of ABC films, Henry Plitt, who invited me to come to his office to see him. He said that I reminded him of the actress Carolyn Jones. I didn't think I looked like her. Never went! I didn't know about networking???? Mr. Henry Plitt was a gentleman with manners that showed respect.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Henry Plitt, President of ABC Films Lucille Ball introduced Argie Hoskins to this gentleman.

Lucille Ball at IMDB
Lucille Ball at Wikipedia

Danny Kaye
Mitch Miller
This man saved our bacon. Bless him! Here we are in the first class section of American Airlines Boeing 707. It was a beautiful, happy day and we had Danny Kaye and Mitch Miller, the band leader on board the flight to New York. We had checked everything that needed to be checked, we thought! We sat down across from some passengers. Up, up into the sky we went and down, down the isle rolled the rolls, the silverware, and salt and pepper. Oh, glory! We were sooooo embarrassed! It could have been the end of American Airlines stewardess on that flight. When the seat belt sign turned off, Danny Kaye absolutely turned the place into "party time." He danced up and down the isle helping us pick up the rolling stuff. Continuing to help, into the buffet area he went with us. It was one of the best trips I ever had! The passengers love it. Talk about turning a lemon into lemonade, it happened.
Danny Kaye at IMDB
Danny Kaye at Wikipedia
Mitch Millere at Wikipedia

Van Cliburn
The setting was in Mercury Section of the 707. He sat on the left side of the plane facing the cockpit near the buffet area. We visited. He asked me where I was from, to which I replied, "Animas Valley, New Mexico." We were flying from the East to L.A. Van Cliburn summoned me and pointed, "You are from down there." He was right. If we were to fly due south, there Animas would be in all the glory of an arid desert. How did he know where Animas was and why did he point it out? He was interested in the world and connected with it. A very special artist. He can paint a picture with music that touches the soul. I knew him to be a great pianist during the years I was flying the 707. Every time I hear the notes of Liszt, I think of Van Cliburn. Every time I think of Van Cliburn, I think of Liszt. Thank you Van Cliburn for knowing where Animas is on the map of the world.
Van Cliburn at IMDB
Van Cliburn at Wikipedia

Jerry Lewis
He and his balloons entertained the crowd in the Mercury Section with childlike behavior. He kept everyone laughing as he entertained himself. It was always nice to have an entertainer on board. The trip went faster and the crowd loved it. Thank you Jerry Lewis for bringing a smile to many people here and there.
Jerry Lewis at IMDB
Jerry Lewis at Wikipedia

Jackie Cooper
In reading my journal, I just found another passenger who was on my flight. Jackie Cooper was a really nice person to board American Airlines. He was a real person.
Jackie Cooper IMDB
Jackie Cooper Wikipedia

Leo Durocher
It was fun to have Leo Durocher on my flight because his wife Laraine Day was in my Sunday School class at church.
Leo Durocher Wikipedia

Max Shulman
Having a desire to someday write "something" and to have it meaningful to myself and others is a talent that I respect. And there he was on my flight! Loved it!
Max Shulman Wikipedia
Max Shulman IMDB

Charles Schulz
Charles Schulz was one of my favorite passengers because he interacted with the world around him. He had the gift of connecting with his very presence by just being there. He reached out in an engaging way that I knew that he was watching the world in an interesting way. Thanks Charles Schulz for bringing us a taste of how you saw our world. I would really like to know how Charles Schulz viewed flying. He could explained life in a way that none other could. I am pleased that I had the opportunity of saying, "Thank you Mr. Schulz for flying with America Airlines."
Charles Schulz Wikipedia

"Howie" Howard Laitin
Enjoyed some jazz spots together. I love jazz and Howie was fine company for an evening "out on the town."

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

Barbara Whaley, Gerry McMasters, Claire Bullock, Argie Hoskins
Christmas 1958 on Kerwood Ave. near what was known as Century City studio.

From American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess Argie Hoskins

50 years later: Argie Hoskins

American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess

"American Airlines Douglas DC-6"-1950

American Airlines Douglas DC-7 Mercury JFK-LAX Part 3

American Airlines Douglas DC-7 Mercury JFK-LAX Part 2

BOEING PROMO FILM: "707: YEAR ONE" (1959)(PART 1)

American Airlines Douglas DC-7 Mercury JFK-LAX Part 1

A TRIP BACK IN TIME WITH BOEING AIRCRAFT (playlist)

American Airlines Boeing 707 at the LAX hangar

Calling "STEWARDESSES" for a flying reflection

AMERICAN AIRLINES BOEING 707

America marks half a century jetting cross country - Left Field

Elizabeth Taylor

American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess: American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess: MORE THAN A TICKET

American Airlines 707 Jet Stewardess: MORE THAN A TICKET

MORE THAN A TICKET

AMERICAN AIRLINES STEWARDESS Emergency Training in 1957-1959

American Airlines Stewardess 1957-1959 passenger letters and other paperwork

Archive for Monday, April 05, 1999

Peter Pitchess, Sheriff Who Modernized Agency, Dies

Eugene T

Laraine Day

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Contents

Career

Personal life

Hollywood Walk of Fame

Death

Selected filmography

Life As A Stewardess

Cormac McCarthy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Celebrity Passengers