Those were the days!
If 'The Office' ran an airline
- Thread starter alr2903
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People on the go for sure! I don't know if I'd focus so much on the plastic cups.
Did NC evetually become Republic? That bird on the tail looks familiar.
Did NC evetually become Republic? That bird on the tail looks familiar.
they did become part of Republic.
Some big Elvis sideburns in there LOL
eureka1458a
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North Central Airlines and Southern Airways both merged in 1979 to form Republic Airlines. In 1986, Northwest Orient purchased Republic Airlines and today Delta Airlines is slowly absorbing Northwest into their operations.
Great nostalgia, i did enjoy the film. Looks to be early 70's. I was kind of shocked that, it featured only caucasian looking people. I know native americans, african americans, latino's, asians and anyone else i missed, worked for, and flew on that airline. Maybe their PR, kicked their butt in the end. no snark intended. I am glad we are making progress. alr2903
Yes those were the days!When it was FUN to fly on the airlines instead of the chore it is today.Used to take NC to and from Rapid City S.Dak to Minneapolis -Remember those Conviar 580's those were FUN to ride!!Loved them.Was MORE like flying when you took a prop airplane.Much like you are "railroading" when you ride a steam train instead of a deisel or electric one.And on those RC flight to St Paul or Minneapolis it was the "milk run" or "bus run" the plane stopped at several airports.People got on or off the plane at each stop.-and yes the plane was used like a "flying pick up truck" in those days on those flights.
whirlcool
Well-known member
Actually, North Central and Southern merged to make up Republic. Then a year later Hughes Airwest got pulled into that mess. There was a lot of animosity between the NC people and the SO people. Two years after the original merger, NC people and planes were still flying the old NC routes and the same was true for SO people. RW (Hughes)had a lot of labor problems of their own going on when they joined RC (Republic). Eventually, the thing finally stabilized around 1984 or so. But they were losing money like mad, so NW bought them.
I started my airline career at NC. I started off on the CV-580 and moved up to the DC-9's. I survived the whole thing and now I'm going to be a Delta employee soon. But until next spring, NW is being operated as a subsidary of Delta. In fact if you look at any of our flights it says "Delta Fligh #XXX, operated by Northwest Airlines".
I started my airline career at NC. I started off on the CV-580 and moved up to the DC-9's. I survived the whole thing and now I'm going to be a Delta employee soon. But until next spring, NW is being operated as a subsidary of Delta. In fact if you look at any of our flights it says "Delta Fligh #XXX, operated by Northwest Airlines".
whirlcool
Well-known member
That video was made around 1973. That's what the airline looked like when I started with them. Those "helmet hat" FA uniforms were issued in 1969. They kept them until 1975 or so.
It was fun working there. A great sense of "family" unlike what it is today working in the industry.
They showed quite a bit about ESCORT, our inhouse computer system. It was actually written by station agents who were sent to IBM for an entire year to learn how to be programmers. SO when it was written, it was written by people who knew the company. It was a very efficient system and was one of the best on the market. NW almost used it after the merger, but
instead bought the TWA res system instead. It didn't have nearly all the capabilities of ESCORT.
It was fun working there. A great sense of "family" unlike what it is today working in the industry.
They showed quite a bit about ESCORT, our inhouse computer system. It was actually written by station agents who were sent to IBM for an entire year to learn how to be programmers. SO when it was written, it was written by people who knew the company. It was a very efficient system and was one of the best on the market. NW almost used it after the merger, but
instead bought the TWA res system instead. It didn't have nearly all the capabilities of ESCORT.
Milk Runs
I flew on Hughes AirWest a lot back in the 70's, almost always on DC-9's. Flying was fun back then, and I was a lot younger and care free. Hughes would provide unlimited champagne the whole flight. I'd fly to Mexican destinations like Mazatlan or Guadalajara, and we'd be up and down the whole way, stopping in places like Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson and La Paz before finally reaching our destination. I remember on one flight after we took off from our last stop in La Paz, the FA left us the whole bottle of champagne on our tray. I also flew to Reno in a Hughes Fairchild F-27 (from the old Pacific Airlines fleet) a couple of times. They had some of the seat rows roped off, suggesting the old plane couldn't handle a full load. It was way loud and not an enjoyable aircraft to fly in, except for the unobstructed views. Back then flying was fun, but now I prefer not to fly if I don't have to, and to take off and land just once.
I flew on Hughes AirWest a lot back in the 70's, almost always on DC-9's. Flying was fun back then, and I was a lot younger and care free. Hughes would provide unlimited champagne the whole flight. I'd fly to Mexican destinations like Mazatlan or Guadalajara, and we'd be up and down the whole way, stopping in places like Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson and La Paz before finally reaching our destination. I remember on one flight after we took off from our last stop in La Paz, the FA left us the whole bottle of champagne on our tray. I also flew to Reno in a Hughes Fairchild F-27 (from the old Pacific Airlines fleet) a couple of times. They had some of the seat rows roped off, suggesting the old plane couldn't handle a full load. It was way loud and not an enjoyable aircraft to fly in, except for the unobstructed views. Back then flying was fun, but now I prefer not to fly if I don't have to, and to take off and land just once.
whirlcool
Well-known member
Back in the 90's the airlines started to take all the fun out of flying due to cost cutting. Well, on second thought it all started in 1978 when airline deregulation began. After 9/11 they really took all the fun out of the job. Passengers are cranky, airline front line personnel are now surly, usually because of being double and triple crossed by their airlines. I am actually makeing considerably less than I was making 10 years ago. We hardly do any non rev trips anymore because the flights are so full it's hard to get an available seat. When I get home from a trip, I want to do just that, stay at home.
You know Allen, the thing that I found scary was what I saw on TV last Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. They showed a map of the US with dots for every plane in the air at the moment, and in huge areas, like the entire eastern seaboard and well inland from there, you couldn't even distinguish the dots. It was just a solid mass. It amazes me that air traffic controllers manage to do what they do. That is one group of people I don't want to have demoralized either, but it seems they've been provided with plenty of reason to be ever since Saint Ronnie (but his wasn't my religion, that's for sure) lowered the boom on them back in the 80's.
I am so looking forward to the high speed rail system between S.F. and L.A. I flat-out don't like getting on planes anymore.
I am so looking forward to the high speed rail system between S.F. and L.A. I flat-out don't like getting on planes anymore.
whirlcool
Well-known member
It's not only the airliners up there, but military and privete biz jets that are flying around.
The ATC system does keep it all separated, and we have the TCAS system to keep us apart in case anyone gets too close.
We frequently see other aircraft nearby. Last week I was flying DTW-MCO (Detroit-Orlando) and at 31,000 ft near Nashville we were going into a cloud and about 1,000 feet below us an American Eagle ERJ came flying out of the cloud. That's why it's important for us to listen to the altiude assignments and clearances to keep things tidy.
The ATC system does keep it all separated, and we have the TCAS system to keep us apart in case anyone gets too close.
We frequently see other aircraft nearby. Last week I was flying DTW-MCO (Detroit-Orlando) and at 31,000 ft near Nashville we were going into a cloud and about 1,000 feet below us an American Eagle ERJ came flying out of the cloud. That's why it's important for us to listen to the altiude assignments and clearances to keep things tidy.
Tidy. Nice choice of wording there, Allen. I'd type LOL here, but it's not a laughing matter. Best wishes for your continued safety on the job. I guess if a level headed guy like you has unwavering faith in flying, I shouldn't feel the sense of resignation I get when I board a plane. I just tell myself I have way to many bills and obligations to get out of them that easily, and then I feel better.
Lets not forget on that horrible day called 9/11, the ATC's landed ALL of the non-hijacked planes safely in a little over an hour. It still gives me chills. I am always so grateful to be an American, i know we all complain sometimes, America is pretty wonderful. alr2903
I fly pretty often
and I hate it with a passion. I used to fly United between Washington Dulles and Denver pretty frequently. I really hated the DC-10s United used on that route until replaced with 777s. I get the impression that the employees in nearly all areas are overworked with ever-increasing pressure for safety and security. Unfortunately, comfort, convenience, and courtesy seem to have gone the way of the dodo.
Airline security is just the worst. The TSA could learn a valuable lesson from El Al, the Israeli airline. I flew to Israel for 10 days in 2008 and you first go through TSA security, then you go through El Al security. The folks at El Al were nicer, more efficient, and far more thorough. It is the only time since 9-11 that I have gone through any airline security and didn't feel like a piece of meat up for inspection.
More recently, I have started taking the train. Although Amtrak has its problems, I have found my travel experiences on it to be pleasant. I have been delayed on Amtrak, but they always say what the reason is, what is being done about it, and they even give a reasonably accurate estimate of how long the delay will be. The seats are far bigger and more comfortable on Amtrak than the airlines, the food is a lot better (and it's often a decent value too). I like the dining cars with real table cloths and stainless steel flatware (what a concept!).
Flying used to be an experience, now it's a chore. I feel bad for the hard-working folks who watched their industry go from exciting to depressing.
Dave
and I hate it with a passion. I used to fly United between Washington Dulles and Denver pretty frequently. I really hated the DC-10s United used on that route until replaced with 777s. I get the impression that the employees in nearly all areas are overworked with ever-increasing pressure for safety and security. Unfortunately, comfort, convenience, and courtesy seem to have gone the way of the dodo.
Airline security is just the worst. The TSA could learn a valuable lesson from El Al, the Israeli airline. I flew to Israel for 10 days in 2008 and you first go through TSA security, then you go through El Al security. The folks at El Al were nicer, more efficient, and far more thorough. It is the only time since 9-11 that I have gone through any airline security and didn't feel like a piece of meat up for inspection.
More recently, I have started taking the train. Although Amtrak has its problems, I have found my travel experiences on it to be pleasant. I have been delayed on Amtrak, but they always say what the reason is, what is being done about it, and they even give a reasonably accurate estimate of how long the delay will be. The seats are far bigger and more comfortable on Amtrak than the airlines, the food is a lot better (and it's often a decent value too). I like the dining cars with real table cloths and stainless steel flatware (what a concept!).
Flying used to be an experience, now it's a chore. I feel bad for the hard-working folks who watched their industry go from exciting to depressing.
Dave
