Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Minneapolis AAA Women's Travel Club Welcomes Northwest Orient Airlines Stewardesses from the 1950s

l-r Pat Tennessen, Nola Wagner, Jean Schreier, Anne Kerr speaking at the
Minneapolis AAA Women's Travel Club July 16, 2013
photo courtesy of Lori Martz   

Jean Schreier called me about a month ago to ask if I wanted to attend a function at the Minneapolis Auto Club.  She said she heard about a couple of 1950s stews being on the program.  I said, "Sure, I'll bet we know them."  As soon as we walked in I recognized Pat Tennessen and Nola Wagner.  These were the two "1950s stewardesses."  Both Jean and I worked with them and have kept in touch with them from time to time over the years.  When they saw us they insisted we share the stage with them.  What a blast!


This was the blurb in the AAA E-newsletter:
"Join us as we welcome two stewardesses from the 1950s for a discussion on their experiences in the airline industry and how the industry has changed over the years."

First on the program we learned about many great travel opportunities for women (and even men on some occasions), and second, it was great fun renewing friendships with Pat, Nola and Jean.  50 years just melted away.  It was also sort of a "welcome home" for me, as I worked for Minneapolis AAA as a travel counselor in downtown Minneapolis in 1954-56, just before I became a stewardess.  I met my future husband Tom there, and he and I led tours for AAA to the New York World's Fair, the Ozarks and the great circle tour of Lake Superior by motor coach, just after roads were completed to make it possible for the first time to drive all around the lake.  This was after I had to resign from NWA in order to get married.  Another one of the "rules" of the day, along with no corrective lenses, height between 5'5" and 5'8", weight under 130 and no flying after age 32!

Tonight it was fun reminiscing about flying on DC-3s, DC-4s, DC-6s, DC-7s, the L-1011 Lockheed Electra and the favorite of all of us, the B-377 Boeing Stratocruiser,  Once the stories started, it was tough to slow them down.  For one thing, the food we served.  For another passenger comfort.  Huge seats, wide aisles and big square windows.  The pilots inviting the passengers to "C'mon up to the flight deck and say hello."  Sleeping berths, lower level cocktail lounge, air to ground telephone service, and the electric organ installed on one of our ships, played by live organists at 25,000 feet to and from New York or Washington D.C.

We shared stories about flying cargo flights, carrying animals and caskets, about emergencies in flight and celebrities we carried.

Thanks, AAA for the memories and for the opportunity to get together with old friends.

31 Comments:

Blogger Elizabeth J. Neal said...

These were the two "1950s stewardesses." Both Jean and I worked with them and have kept in touch with them from time to time over the years. When they saw us they insisted we share the stage with them. What a blast! charter flights

October 13, 2014 at 7:29 AM  
Blogger Anna Schafer said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

January 24, 2015 at 3:16 AM  
Blogger Anna Schafer said...

An brilliant organization to operate with!! Pretty helpful support and well-informed concerning the canyon. They took the irritation of vacation designs off our fingers and built it uncomplicated for us to only get pleasure from our excursion. From beginning to conclusion the company was Excellent! In the beginning it absolutely was frustrating to think about all our unique alternatives concerning the grand canyon..we realized we wished to visit but that was about all we knew about Arizona. Advantage Grand Canyon

January 28, 2015 at 11:36 AM  
Blogger Elizabeth J. Neal said...

These were the two "1950s stewardesses." Both Jean and I worked with them and have kept in touch with them from time to time over the years. When they saw us they insisted we share the stage with them. What a blast! india tour operator

February 3, 2015 at 5:27 AM  
Blogger Elizabeth J. Neal said...

Air Adventures Helicopter Tours. "The Best Way To See Key West!" Learn More. Air Adventure's helicopter tours are the newest attraction in Key West, Key West Helicopter Tours

February 5, 2015 at 6:27 AM  
Blogger Richard C. Lambert said...

Great blog.....Thank u for sharing this info.An airline is a company that provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit. crucero galapagos

June 13, 2015 at 8:09 AM  
Blogger Robert said...

Serving all Metro Atlanta Area with new Millennium 6-16 passenger limousines, as well as Stretch Navigators. Posts services, limo service atlanta

July 23, 2015 at 5:44 AM  
Blogger Robert said...

Atlanta Limo is located in the heart of Sandy Springs, located just north of Atlanta, Georgia. atlanta car service

July 23, 2015 at 6:02 AM  
Blogger Elizabeth J. Neal said...

Really i appreciate the effort you made to share the knowledge. The topic here i found was really effective to the topic which i was researching for a long time. http://www.car-asia.com

July 28, 2015 at 5:35 AM  
Blogger Elizabeth J. Neal said...

The Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, located south of the Indian subcontinent within a tropical region of world famous white , Maldives Resorts

July 30, 2015 at 7:30 AM  
Blogger Richard C. Lambert said...



I really liked Delta Dreamflight, though at the time I felt a little hollow because I loved If You Had Wings even more. Nothing against Buzz Lightyear, but I still really miss those goofy rides in Tomorrowland.
vacation

September 29, 2015 at 6:37 AM  
Blogger Anna Schafer said...

These were the two "1950s stewardesses." Both Jean and I worked with them and have kept in touch with them from time to time over the years. uber select alternative maui

November 14, 2015 at 5:22 AM  
Anonymous Carl R said...

Such an inspiring story to see the 1950's is still alive and well!

It is crazy to see how far the air stewardess industry as a while has changed!

December 19, 2015 at 1:25 PM  
Blogger Robert said...

It contains truly facts. Your website is very valuable. Thanks for sharing. It's late finding this act. At least, Party Bus

January 24, 2016 at 6:19 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Contact us to hire a IAD limo for your Picnics, Parties, Weddings and Social outings........

February 15, 2016 at 5:51 AM  
Anonymous Piano classes Sydney said...

Forte schools offer a FREE trial lessons for classes and some offer a Free Trial private lesson.

February 25, 2016 at 1:52 AM  
Blogger Robert said...

Awesome blog. I enjoyed reading your articles. This is truly a great read for me. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles. Keep up the good work! limousine maui

March 8, 2016 at 3:01 AM  
Anonymous Linda said...

Things have certainly changed. No pilots nowadays would invite passengers up to come and say hello- for security reasons.

June 8, 2016 at 6:00 PM  
Blogger Elizabeth J. Neal said...

I recently found many useful information in your website especially this blog page. Among the lots of comments on your articles. Thanks for sharing. barcelona day tours

May 25, 2018 at 3:04 PM  
Blogger Elizabeth J. Neal said...

Hi, I find reading this article a joy. It is extremely helpful and interesting and very much looking forward to reading more of your work.. north fork wine tours

May 25, 2018 at 4:04 PM  
Blogger Flack Jhonsan said...

This is very educational content and written well for a change. It's nice to see that some people still understand how to write a quality post! musandam dhow cruise

August 8, 2018 at 2:23 AM  
Anonymous Tangki Panel said...

You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people could take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks

March 3, 2019 at 8:26 AM  
Blogger Khasab Sea Tours said...

Amazing article keep sharing great post!
musandam dhow cruise overnight

May 26, 2019 at 9:13 AM  
Blogger Eliaz Beth said...

On our site TripMyCity.com you will find the best Sightseeing tour from local guides, instructors or rent for your good rest adventures travel and tourism adventure

February 20, 2020 at 6:35 AM  
Blogger Eliza Beth said...

Thank you for helping people get the information they need. Great stuff as usual. Keep up the great work!!! bethlehem and dead sea tour from tel aviv

February 29, 2020 at 12:57 AM  
Blogger Eliza Beth said...

I am very enjoyed for this blog. Its an informative topic. It help me very much to solve some problems. Its opportunity are so fantastic and working style so speedy. jerusalem and bethlehem tour

March 4, 2020 at 3:14 PM  
Blogger Eliza Beth said...

All the contents you mentioned in post is too good and can be very useful. I will keep it in mind, thanks for sharing the information keep updating, looking forward for more posts.Thanks Tour Guide Flores

July 15, 2020 at 3:25 PM  
Blogger kenwood said...

When you are looking to save money on your airfare, don't assume that going with the same airline every time that you fly is the most economical of practices. en uygun uçak bileti

August 13, 2020 at 4:55 PM  
Blogger ji jhon 88 said...

Eating and drinking can be very affordable, and you could visit many cafes and pubs and clubs easily by walk or public transport. Apartment in Budapest

November 1, 2020 at 3:32 AM  
Blogger kenwood said...

Triple bunk beds are those which contain a total of three bunks stacked on top of each other to enable three people to sleep in comfort. girls bunk bed with slide

November 10, 2020 at 2:56 PM  
Anonymous Write For Us + Travel said...

The amount of information is stunning and also a gainful article for us.

December 21, 2023 at 6:59 AM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home