Flip flops and shorts, jeans and a sweater, no make- up…anything goes today when boarding an airliner as long as you pass through security and packed within proper baggage limits. However, there was a day when travelers donned silk suits, coiffed hair dos and fancy shoes. Air travel was a luxury and an air of sophistication came along with it.
“Marriage is fine! But shouldn’t you see the world first?” quipped a United Airlines ad of 1967. The ambiance of being a stewardess for an airline in the late 1950’s and 1960’s, was a fabulous, exciting, choice for many adventurous women. It was a time when career options for women working meant teaching, nursing, or primarily working within the home raising a family. With the lure of unlimited travel and a glamorous work environment, many enticed young ladies to joined the flight ranks.
To join the coveted ranks of an airline stewardess, there were stringent prerequisites. Contrary to the culture of today, many of these prerequisites focused on physical aesthetics. Typical requirements were similar among the popular airlines such as Pan Am, TWA, and United: Female, between the age of 20-27, height between 5’2”-5’9”, have a slender, proportioned figure, weight not to be more than 140 lbs., agree to retire at the age of 32, to not be married at time of applying or working (divorce or widowed was exception), and lastly, not be pregnant.
For Kathleen Morgan, the decision to become an ‘Airline Hostess’ (as called before title change to stewardess then flight attendant) originated from a trip to her family’s homeland, Ireland, as a young girl. In 1947, at age 10, Kathleen and her mother took a trip to Ireland via the sea vessel, SS America. A seven-day journey across the Atlantic made her mother very seasick. A decision to fly home via TWA was the best option.
A scary yet impactful event occurred in the air on the way home. The plane lost an engine over the Atlantic and had to make an emergency landing in Gander, Newfoundland. Consequently, Kathleen’s mother had become air sick with a fever and ended up in a hospital after the emergency landing. No fear in the friendly skies, Kathleen’s care fell into the caring hands of the 6 airline stewardesses.
Morgan recalls, “I said to them, ‘When I grow up, I’m going to be an “airline stewardess”, and I never changed my mind.”
The glitz of the flight experience and the ambiance of being on the plane with beautiful, well-coiffed stewardesses was all part of the ambiance. To cultivate the experience, stewardess training always included grooming instruction. It was not accident that the stewardess drew glances of awe as they walked through the airports reporting for work. Crisp, sharp, well fitted custom uniforms were just the start. Lessons covered all kinds of topics even details like how to select the most flattering shade of eye shadow.
Beauty AND brains were the expectation for stewardesses. Instruction was given in aviation history and emergency procedures. Mechanical concepts such as the workings of brake spoilers, vortex generators and ailerons as well as fancy recipes such as how to prepare delicacies such as chicken curry and delicious cocktail recipes were all topics of schooling. One training manual emphasized a mindset focus too: “To enjoy a ‘traveling job’ like yours, do not spend all your energy on non-essentials, concentrate on people, places and ideas; don’t spend your time dressing, changing and repacking.”
The airline stewardess uniform had a critical required item-a girdle! Pantyhose were not allowed so garters held up nylons. Along with uniform requirements were weight requirements. Weight checks were done every 5 weeks.
Kathleen recalls, “When doing taxes, we were allotted a deduction for uniforms and 3 girdles per year.”
Regarding weight checks and personal appearance, she adds,” I gained 4 lbs. and was grounded for 2 weeks without pay. Also, no long hair was allowed - I had a French twist. “
As for reporting to work, security checks were not a “thing” yet but there were gate check agents. Stewardesses would turn in papers with their name, weight (yes, weight!), altitude for the trip, estimated time of arrival and fuel consumption. A copy of the paperwork was given to the captain and a copy stayed with the cabin crew.
Interesting air adventures for Kathleen were all in a day’s work. Kathleen reflects,
“It was like being a movie star…full uniform always and high heels always.”
A recruiting ad for Pan Am proclaimed, ““The world is waiting-See things, do things, learn things.” The women experienced being a critical part of history. Stewardesses played a valued role in aiding US troops during the Vietnam War. The airlines had offered to transport troops from Saigon across Asia for relaxation at a deep discount to the government. Stewardesses acted as nurses and counselors to wounded and traumatized soldiers. At the war’s end, it was the glamorous, sophisticated ladies who spirited the “Operation Babylift”. The project flew hundreds of young children out of Vietnam. Stewardesses were at the front lines of history making moments.
In the air, there was never a dull moment. The excitement of the position is similar to today’s airline adventures. For instance, scary moments like an emergency landing on a DC-3 out of Midway Airport in Chicago. As well, there were beguiling times when airline passengers such as Jimmy Hoffa and Bobby Kennedy boarded the plane. All the norm for a glamorous airline stewardess. Serving meals with linen napkins and even fine china was not unheard of during this sophisticated era of travel. Depending on the passengers or trips, elegance was adjusted to the needs of the audience.
Cupid knows no bounds – ground or sky. With the stewardess job requirement of remaining single, true love would also mean a true end to a career in the skies for the young ladies. Kathleen Morgan connected with her future husband, Patrick Guilfoile, through their mutual airline careers. Kathleen married the love of her life,” Gilly”, a pilot. Patrick was able to maintain his career as a pilot.
The life in the air for airline stewardesses or flight attendants as now referred to has certainly changed over time. The glamour and excitement of jetting off to new places, however, remains the same. It helps to remember the past events that give us the freedoms we have today, whether it be airline careers and travel or anything we may take for granted. The way was paved through a time of exclusivity and brave souls to chart the uncharted skies.
