America's First Black Flight Attendant
12/02/24 • 15 min
During some of the most exciting developments and innovation in a young and emerging U.S. airline industry - from the 1930s through the late 1950s - two of the most sought-after airline career paths are unavailable to black Americans.
They’re denied positions as airline pilots or flight attendants, no matter what their relevant experience or technical qualifications. With this Airline Time Machine podcast, let’s look at how the first Black stewardess in the U.S. changed that narrative, and what it took for her to break through that highly visible barrier in our airline history.
During some of the most exciting developments and innovation in a young and emerging U.S. airline industry - from the 1930s through the late 1950s - two of the most sought-after airline career paths are unavailable to black Americans.
They’re denied positions as airline pilots or flight attendants, no matter what their relevant experience or technical qualifications. With this Airline Time Machine podcast, let’s look at how the first Black stewardess in the U.S. changed that narrative, and what it took for her to break through that highly visible barrier in our airline history.
Previous Episode
Boeing 367-80: The Aerobatic Maneuver That Launches a Titan
The early 1950s is an exciting time in the airline business, and - more specifically - the airliner business.
Airliner manufacturers are developing new planes that fly faster, farther, and with more passengers and cargo, but from England a new airliner sound is being heard - the high, shrill scream of jet engines.
Most airlines are reluctant to embrace the new jet technology, both because it’s unlike the proven airliners they’re currently flying, but also because they’ve spent enormous sums of money buying those older planes, and are years away from paying them off.
But U.S. aircraft companies are gaining experience with jet engine technology through military programs, and are seeking ways to apply that learning to a new generation of airliners powered by jets.
Let's look at how one of those companies - Boeing of Seattle - makes the decision to move into a technologically advanced jet airliner family, and the role that a dramatic aerobatics maneuver in a very public setting has on that work.
Next Episode
Above It All - America’s Helicopter Airlines
In some of the largest U.S. urban areas, road traffic congestion can be one of the biggest challenges to moving between the downtown area and the airport.
Imagine, though, being able to get from Manhattan to La Guardia Airport in New York in just 6 minutes, or from Oakland to the San Francisco Airport in 7 minutes.
For many years, scheduled service helicopter airlines made fast airport travel times like those possible, but they’ve all failed to stay in business.
Join me for their story, and a look at what may be ahead for close-in urban air service.
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