by Kabuki » Tue Jun 17, 2014 9:35 pm
It was a sad day in Hawaii when PanAm shut down its operations in Honolulu in 1985. The first time I flew to Hawaii was in 1968 on a PanAm 707. The ticket cost $85 from Seattle (youth fare). Paid at the gate, no reservations, no shopping around... I miss the days of hassle-free flying.
The service was great. The food, too. There was room for my long legs. About mid-flight, an "older gentleman" appeared and served champagne. It was the only time I saw him, he was not part of the regular cabin crew. Later, before landing, they passed out hot moist towels so passengers could "moisten up". The restrooms were stocked with high-end toiletries of all kinds. Evidently, they allowed for passengers to stuff their pockets. I still remember the smell of that Morney French Fern soap.
My last flight back to Seattle was in '93. The plane was so crowded, my bladder about burst from being unable to reach a restroom before the line got too long for any hope of getting there before landing. I've had trouble with my femural nerve ever since that awful flight. Next time, I'm sailing. It's more like *real* flying than being stuffed into one of those sardine cans they call airliners today. PanAm had real class.
This is a family-friendly saloon. No talk stink.