To PCM: Pan Am's slogan was 'You Can't Beat the Experience.' ... at least in the 80's, that was the slogan.<BR><BR>And yes, the good ol' days... after Pan Am went under because our national government wouldn't allow Pan Am to expand domestically, the other airlines slowly began to cut service to save money. Pan Am was the 'benchmark' of quality and other carriers such as Northwest Orient, Braniff, etc.. all had the same standards as Pan Am. Once again, thanks to our dear government and the politics that go along with it.

I have to say that I enjoy reading these posts. I'm 29 and didn't fly much until recently. Have been working in the biz for a shorter time.<BR>I'm currently in a mode of collecting old airline memorobilia (sp?). Mostly Continental, but others if they really strike me. <BR>I have seen some film and pictures and have heard of folks dresed up for flights and sitting facing each other. I've heard of the piano bars and what not. I think that would be so cool to have today. It would be kind of cool to walk around with a drink and a cigarette (or not) and mingle.<BR>Speaking of dressing up for a flight, last year I took my partner to Orlando for a flight to IAH. There was a woman there wearing a teddy or negligie or something and house shoes. Mind you she didn't have the body for what she was wearing. I remember whispering to my partner wondering why in the heck she was out in public dressed like that and that surely she was not a passenger. Wouldn't you know that when they called for first class and One Pass elte passengers to board, she walked over to the gate and boarded. Needless to say that my jaw dropped.<BR>Now I'm a t-shirt and shorts kinda guy and would not like to wear a suit on a plane. I'm required to dress appropriately as a passrider, but even if I weren't, I would sill wear a nice shirt and some decent blue jeans or slacks.<BR><BR>But then that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.<BR><BR>P.S. If you have any old airline stuff that you want to get rid of (or want to give a good home) or you just want to share other memories of the old days of travel, please drop me a line at the above e-mail.<BR>Thanks.<BR>(Sorry if I rambled).

COairboy, on your next flight thru SFO, check out the display in the domestic terminal 1, near the US Airways ticket counter. old flight bags, many from now extint carriers. not for sale, but interesting nonetheless. it just makes ya think of the old time flying experience and glamour.

regarding dress code, as a standby, agents will in fact (subconsiously) treat you better if you are dressed nicer. its almost like youve been thoughtful enough to dress well, represent the airline well, and youll continue to be thoughtful thru it all.



oh ya, i recently saw on the news the TSA is suggesting people fly in &quot;work-out suits&quot; bc unlike jeans they contain no metal and should help you get through security quicker. still wonder WHY the glamour disapeared?

Message to COairboy,
T/O the years have accumulated much airline memorabilia -- matchbooks, cards, posters, luggage tags, luggage bags, etc.. Maybe someday we will sell for what they are worth? (Check out the many websites that sell.) In fact, just today, I came across a matchbook marked Ozark Airlines. Now that is a blast from the past. If you can picture this. When I first started to fly in the mid-50s, my girlfriend and I flew on a Pan Am Clipper to Hawaii. We were all dressed up to the nines. During flight, we were invited to sit in the cockpit with pilot, co-pilot and engineer, which we did for about a half an hr or so. On another flight to Hawaii, (early 70s) hubby and I flew to Hawaii on Northwest Orient 747 with only 6 passengers on board. Lots of stories to tell too numerous to mention here. Can you imagine in this day and age!
Francie

My mother was a Pan Am employee for 40 years and I remember getting dressed up to travel. Her job allowed us to travel everywhere for the price of taxes and it was great. I still have the Pan Am wings I received on the flights and I still have my mother's which she wore on her uniform. I also have several Pan Am flight bags. It was wonderful to travel back then because passengers behaved and were cordial toward one another.