The Original Eight Genesis of the Modern Day Flight Attendant
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Business -> subcategory Careers.
The Original Eight: Pioneers of the Modern Flight Attendant
Celebrating 75 Years of Aviation Service
This article pays tribute to the trailblazing eight women who laid the foundation for today's flight attendants?"professionals dedicated to ensuring safety, security, and comfort for passengers worldwide.
A Historical Perspective
In 1930, aspiring bachelors often dreamed of marrying a Boeing Skygirl. These pioneers were single nurses, lured not by prospective marital bliss but by the promise of revolutionizing air travel. Their efforts transformed aviation by enhancing passenger comfort and promoting air safety during a time of economic depression.
Boeings Groundbreaking Role
The Boeing Company distinguished itself not only as an aircraft manufacturer but also as a leader in passenger service. In 1928, Boeing launched an airliner designed for passenger comfort: the Model 80. This model featured a separate cockpit for pilots and a spacious cabin for passengers. The 12-seater model was soon followed by the larger, 18-passenger Model 80-A.
Enter the Original Eight
Originally, young boys handled passenger services, but Ellen Church, a registered nurse, suggested that women?"particularly nurses?"should take on these roles. She argued that nurses were ideal for managing passenger comfort and demonstrating air travel safety. Boeing embraced her idea, and on May 15, 1930, hired eight women for a trial period, marking the birth of the stewardess role.
Expanding Responsibilities
These early stewardesses took on diverse duties. They were tour directors, ticket collectors, baggage handlers, plane refuelers, and even helped push aircraft into hangars. Due to narrow aisles and low ceilings, Boeing required stewardesses to be petite, with height and weight restrictions.
The Transition to United Airlines
In 1931, Boeing Air Transportation merged with other companies to form United Airlines. Most of the original eight later returned to more conventional lives.
Cherished Memories: Margaret Arnott
In 1996, Clipped Wings historian Vicy Morris Young wrote about an interview with Margaret Arnott, one of the original eight. Just before her passing in 1995, Margaret humorously recounted a story of an emergency landing and a moment of recognition endorsing her legacy.
Evolution of the Profession
As air travel grew, more airlines hired stewardesses. In 1952, government regulations began mandating steward or stewardess presence for safety. The 1974 revision of Federal Aviation Regulations redefined their role as "flight attendant crewmember," cementing their professional status.
The Modern Flight Attendant
Today’s flight attendants hail from diverse backgrounds, serving across commercial, business, and private sectors. While they're no longer tasked with manual labor like pushing planes or fueling, they travel extensively and are trained for any emergency. Nearly 75 years after Ellen Church's visionary idea, the impact of flight attendants remains immense.
Honoring the Trailblazers
We salute the original eight: Ellen Church, Margaret Arnott, Jessie Carter, Ellis Crawford, Harriet Fry, Alva Johnson, Inez Keller, and Cornelia Peterman. Their legacy lives on in every flight attendant who continues their groundbreaking work.
Fun Facts
- Ellen Church took her first flight on May 15, 1930, from San Francisco to Cheyenne, Wyoming.
- Cresco, Iowa, Church's hometown, honored her by naming their airfield Ellen Church Field in 1959.
- In 1930, the first flight attendants earned $125 per month.
Sources
- Iowa State University Extension
- Boeing Company
- Clipped Wings
This tribute honors those who have shaped the flight attendant profession into what it is today, on this 75th anniversary of their foundational flights.
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