Come Fly with Me (The Story of Pan Am)
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Come Fly with Me (The Story of Pan Am)
Interesting documentary about Pan Am on BBC2 this evening, relating how it played a key role in bringing jets into commercial airlines and the start of what became affordable air travel.
There was more emphasis on cabin than cockpit but it was interesting to hear former air stewardesses recalling their time with Pan Am with great affection and obvious loyalty to the company.
Perhaps the golden age of air travel?
Hard to believe it's almost exactly 20 years since the last flight of what had been one of the most successful airlines in the world.
The programme will be repeated next Wednesday, 16th November.
Not fantastic, but worth watching IMHO.
There was more emphasis on cabin than cockpit but it was interesting to hear former air stewardesses recalling their time with Pan Am with great affection and obvious loyalty to the company.
Perhaps the golden age of air travel?
Hard to believe it's almost exactly 20 years since the last flight of what had been one of the most successful airlines in the world.
The programme will be repeated next Wednesday, 16th November.
Not fantastic, but worth watching IMHO.
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Worth watching I agree, albeit more nostalgic in content than expanding on the operational aspects of the airline. The development of the long haul routes across the Pacific for example and no mention of the extensive Berlin based operations at all plus only a passing mention of their US Gov't operations.
There were some interesting anecdotes from the former cabin crew however...all of whom seemed to have led, "an active social life"...as they say in polite circles....and all credit to them for doing so.
I was amused by their perceptions as to the lack of sophistication regarding pilots....and the "lets go for the cheapest option...and split the bill" when eating out...no change there then...
....and the diplomatic references to "difficult passengers ".
The line about the crews being so well trained, they knew how to change an engine was a little tenous I thought..they probably did...in theory at least.
Some interesting shots of the ground crew on the flying boats...in immaculate white uniforms, complete with hat...and up to their necks in water.
Overall, a nice soft documentary....and some equally nostalgic shots of the 707's / 727's as a bonus.
Worth watching I agree, albeit more nostalgic in content than expanding on the operational aspects of the airline. The development of the long haul routes across the Pacific for example and no mention of the extensive Berlin based operations at all plus only a passing mention of their US Gov't operations.
There were some interesting anecdotes from the former cabin crew however...all of whom seemed to have led, "an active social life"...as they say in polite circles....and all credit to them for doing so.
I was amused by their perceptions as to the lack of sophistication regarding pilots....and the "lets go for the cheapest option...and split the bill" when eating out...no change there then...
....and the diplomatic references to "difficult passengers ".The line about the crews being so well trained, they knew how to change an engine was a little tenous I thought..they probably did...in theory at least.
Some interesting shots of the ground crew on the flying boats...in immaculate white uniforms, complete with hat...and up to their necks in water.
Overall, a nice soft documentary....and some equally nostalgic shots of the 707's / 727's as a bonus.
Last edited by Krystal n chips; 13th Nov 2011 at 06:33.
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If the story I am about to relate is true, and I have no reason to believe it is not, the remark about the hosties (as they were called in those days) leading an active social life was true.
Back in the days of 707's when various airlines, including PanAm, used to slip crews at Nadi, the old Mocambo was a favourite watering hole.
One particular evening there was a convivial gathering of various slip crews around the pool, including several RNZAF aircrew who happened to be staying overnight.
As the evening wore on more drink was consumed and the noise level increased, to the point were one PanAm hostie became too noisy and was making a bit of an exhibition of herself, so her captain ordered her to bed.
She could tell by the tone of his voice that he was not joking, so off she staggered.
Some time later when the party was still going strong she appeared from the other side of the pool stark naked, and weaved her way around the various guests tables towards the main party group.
Her captain got up, said "excuse me", picked the lady up, threw her over his shoulder, and walked off.
The party continued, but it was noticeable some time later that the captain had not returned.
Back in the days of 707's when various airlines, including PanAm, used to slip crews at Nadi, the old Mocambo was a favourite watering hole.
One particular evening there was a convivial gathering of various slip crews around the pool, including several RNZAF aircrew who happened to be staying overnight.
As the evening wore on more drink was consumed and the noise level increased, to the point were one PanAm hostie became too noisy and was making a bit of an exhibition of herself, so her captain ordered her to bed.
She could tell by the tone of his voice that he was not joking, so off she staggered.
Some time later when the party was still going strong she appeared from the other side of the pool stark naked, and weaved her way around the various guests tables towards the main party group.
Her captain got up, said "excuse me", picked the lady up, threw her over his shoulder, and walked off.
The party continued, but it was noticeable some time later that the captain had not returned.
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How long was this documenatry ? Any chance someone can record it and post it online for us that don't live in the UK ?
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BBC iPlayer - Come Fly with Me (The Story of Pan Am)
If that doesn't work for you, a Google search produces several other online sources.
Krystal
I also wish there had been more about the operational aspects.
That said, I enjoyed hearing the anecdotes of the air stewardesses of that era. They clearly enjoyed seeing the world/partying down route but came across as being thoroughly professional in their approach to their jobs.
What particularly struck me was that they were very proud to have been air stewardesses with Pan Am in its heyday and there wasn't even a hint of any 'chip' about the job title.
BBC iPlayer - Come Fly with Me (The Story of Pan Am)
If that doesn't work for you, a Google search produces several other online sources.
Krystal
I also wish there had been more about the operational aspects.
That said, I enjoyed hearing the anecdotes of the air stewardesses of that era. They clearly enjoyed seeing the world/partying down route but came across as being thoroughly professional in their approach to their jobs.
What particularly struck me was that they were very proud to have been air stewardesses with Pan Am in its heyday and there wasn't even a hint of any 'chip' about the job title.
Thanks for the heads-up Gruntie and FL. That expatshield did not work. Infact I downloaded it, and when trying to set it up it wanted to download the same thing again and again, then the antivirus started flashing warning lights. Bad experience. However I did find and watch the Pan Am program, and very interesting it was, at this place which works just fine without having to download anything.
Watch Come.Fly.With.Me.The.Story.Of.Pan.Am.WS.PDTV.XviDC online | NovaMov - Free and reliable flash video hosting
Enjoy it everyone.
Watch Come.Fly.With.Me.The.Story.Of.Pan.Am.WS.PDTV.XviDC online | NovaMov - Free and reliable flash video hosting
Enjoy it everyone.
The intriguing thing for me was the end of the game. And Stelios providing his tuppence worth - he's obviously studied the outfit well.
Curiously, they were at their best when they were the premium niche provider. Perhaps that niche is there again on a point to point basis?
Curiously, they were at their best when they were the premium niche provider. Perhaps that niche is there again on a point to point basis?
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An urban legend from my early days was that the name 'Pan Am' was coined by a BOAC baggage loader in the 1950s or 60s, when BA handled them at Heathrow.
(not any old baggage loader, but a specific one, very well known on Terminal 3 check-in, where I worked for a year).
(not any old baggage loader, but a specific one, very well known on Terminal 3 check-in, where I worked for a year).
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Tell me I'm wrong but has Pan Am set some record by appearing in two full length feature films under it's own name.
I refer to "2001, A Space Odyssey" and "Catch me if you can". "2001" features a hostess wearing Grip Shoes to assist her in zero gravity. There is a very close close-up of the shoes with the Pan Am logo.
None of the pseudo airline stuff like "Transglobal" in "Airport".
I refer to "2001, A Space Odyssey" and "Catch me if you can". "2001" features a hostess wearing Grip Shoes to assist her in zero gravity. There is a very close close-up of the shoes with the Pan Am logo.
None of the pseudo airline stuff like "Transglobal" in "Airport".
I thought that it was an excellent programme and recalled the glory days before the awfulness of rubbish airlines such as R**nA*r.
Back in the 1970s, the standards on even the charter airlines which took you to Spain on holiday were far above those of today's wretched bottom-feeding airlines. We still 'dressed up' to travel even from Hurn to Palma!
And who could forget the lovely 'Caledonian Girls'..........
Back in the 1970s, the standards on even the charter airlines which took you to Spain on holiday were far above those of today's wretched bottom-feeding airlines. We still 'dressed up' to travel even from Hurn to Palma!
And who could forget the lovely 'Caledonian Girls'..........
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I thought the documentary was quite good; it brought back for me memories of September 6th 1970; when my mother, brother, sister and I boarded a Pan Am 747 for our flight from Heathrow to New York; joining my father who was working out there at the time.
I shall never forget (as a six year old) seeing that giant brand new Boeing 747 parked outside the terminal with its APU running and its huge tail and the Pan Am globe on it. It made a great impression on me; how privileged we all felt travelling in this new airliner; we even dressed up for the occasion with my mother and sister in posh frocks and my brother and I in suits; we were only travelling economy!
An amazing flight; seeing those glamorous Pan Am Stewardesses and eating lunch at 40,000 feet over the Atlantic. Even today if I am at an airport and I smell Jet A1; my mind goes immediately back to that Pan Am flight!
I shall never forget (as a six year old) seeing that giant brand new Boeing 747 parked outside the terminal with its APU running and its huge tail and the Pan Am globe on it. It made a great impression on me; how privileged we all felt travelling in this new airliner; we even dressed up for the occasion with my mother and sister in posh frocks and my brother and I in suits; we were only travelling economy!
An amazing flight; seeing those glamorous Pan Am Stewardesses and eating lunch at 40,000 feet over the Atlantic. Even today if I am at an airport and I smell Jet A1; my mind goes immediately back to that Pan Am flight!
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By the time it went bust PanAm was a travesty of its former self. I am a retired Licenced engineer with 30 years of 747 experience and have never seen aircraft so obviously poorly maintained and in a filthy condition. Shortly after they ceased operations I was involved in operating 2 ex PanAm 747-100's and was appalled at the condition they were in. The aircraft came with ex PanAm cockpit and cabin crew -a better bunch of people to work with would be hard to find,they obviously had a huge loyalty to the company and were devastated when it failed - they deserved better.
They had lost their way on the revenue side as well. The PA103 Lockerbie accident is more memorable to me than most because I was on BA at that moment en route from London to the USA; we heard nothing, of course, until arrival, when I had to deal with half my family having thought I was on it. 243 pax were lost; this is about a 60% load factor. It happened on 21 December, 4 days before Christmas. My BA flight, and a number of other transatlantic options I had looked at, were of course absolutely full, as you would expect on this day. How Pan Am only managed to sell 60% on a high demand date like this is something I have always wondered.
But the most surprising thing about Pan Am was the sheer number of fatal accidents they had postwar, from the late 1940s right through to Lockerbie and the end. Someone can count them up, but, even for the times, their record was way beyond what any other mainstream carrier was achieving. Now you can pick over individual incidents, but in sum total their losses of passengers and aircraft were way beyond the norm. Their insurance bill must have been astronomical; I wonder how many insurers refused to take them on.
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might not be everybody's cup of tea, but a new us drama series set in the 1960's called PAN AM starts tonight at 21.00 on bbc2.
tonight,dean pilots the clipper majestic's first new york to london flight.
tonight,dean pilots the clipper majestic's first new york to london flight.