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I found this story looking through Grandpa’s book The Anhalt Family . This happened exactly one year before he became an Army flight surgeon in WWII.4s4ni7092jy6a5msqo2pye6myktanxti

By James Anhalt, Sr.ts9xcw8cbkeoddwytdkpye6yis9acevw

We decided to go First Class. Air travel was just becoming popular, so we made reservations to fly American Airlines to New York City. Reservations were made weeks in advance. Ernestine couldn’t decide what to wear on the flight. She finally settled on a two piece suit for which she would need a corsage. People did not fly as passengers on American Airlines, unless they were properly groomed. I wore a 3 piece suit, white shirt and matching tie. 3rmr4qq47eg0z3xmxks5tx4l3qqyczr6Needless to say, even the baby was “decked” out in his finest.nyvl0k9jys3h37xhdjs41htvhkmvm6o0

When the flight was booked, we arranged for the baby. We were assigned the two front seats in the DC-3 in which we were flying. The DC-3 was one of the earliest passenger planes used. It had retractable wing wheels and tail dragger wheel. It carried 21 passengers. Our seats were just behind the bulkhead and had ample leg room to put the baby’s basket.r7mwjmf8skjizr89ghq5b27lvvxajqe1

NC16013 "Flagship Virginia" circa 19405zeu43r43w9um58ybbqyx6xbznx8tkyp

For ten days before departure the Airline called us daily inquiring about the baby’s feeding schedule and formula. The also furnished diapers. Everything seemed to be in order. All of the family members were notified of take-off time.643fbxbcub38y6l4j37uypsajnloaxz6

We were dressed. powdered and perfumed and Ernestine had her orchid corsage in place. She wore a wide-brimmed hat and I wore a Holmberg. We were very excited. Ernestine had never flown before and I had flown only once in a “Ford Trimotor” piloted by a Barnstormer pilot. I think I paid a dollar for a take-off and landing in a cleared field just out of town. The old Ford Trimotor was also known as the Tin Goose. The DC-3 was much more elegant than the Tin Goose.aahhwjhmb6lwn4umev01rf4mjtezcpjd

So, we spent several minutes saying our goodbyes. I’m sure most of the relatives thought we were insane. The way every one was crying and warning us of the danger we faced, I’m sure they thought this has to be the last time they would see us alive.jqapgb8xpay5bropznwqx2dvjsici7tr

We entered the plane and hesitated at the door to wave our last farewell. We were ushered to our seats by the stewardess who was required to be a registered nurse at the time. It was comforting to hear her say that she had been flying this route for 8 months. She sat us down and fastened the belts. She also secured the baby in his basket and fastened the basket to the bulk head.ccmodb47m8eihxyxe47luaoce1roleao

I was a little fearful but did not dare show it for Ernestine’s sake.xxiqa7o7j7mmeef0mg27lgs8ermy1ajo

The pilot revved up one engine, then the other.3v61hqsi7vb3r6xanr6p1x36jk6zmhbf

The plane moved forward and turned to enter the runway. I tried to be cheerful but there was very little talking during this time.97hl7tgv1mlqebdsxx4tijc7a9pwvdzu

Both engines were given full throttle and we lurched down the runway. In less than a minute (a very long minute) we were airborne.e1amye39vduu1xbspl3fzolr1frtls4q

There was a constant drone of the engines and we were definitely aware of the movement of the plane.h4n7vb6q9v3ghwseyggj8upo25mlj7vr

Everyone aboard the plane seemed comfortable and were smiling a sort of forced smile. The baby was sleeping soundly and seemed very pleased with the sound of air rushing by and the “roar” of the engines. We looked at the baby and then at each other and said everything is all right, lets enjoy the ride.gx33t15ormgjg6mffb8334e6227dewwl

We had flown for a couple of hours and the pilot announced that we were entering an area of turbulence. Not to worry. It would get smooth later.y5oxzb5bdg8azu1vdpuv3itkipwxp13e

Another hour into the flight the turbulence was increasing. There was thunder and lightening. We were near Bristol, Tennessee on the Kentucky border. The pilot announced very calmly that we would land at the airport there and await the clearing of the storm. “Fritz” was still sleeping soundly.2ja0hbagk5lp1jwx5sfrvhs69nqzyeir

A short while after we landed the airline decided we should not try for New York. We were taken to a hotel, had wonderful dinner and given a room for the night. We were told the rest of the trip would be by pullman car on the railroad.ylbfmdoh45x9tnr1kbmtztukk455036p

We were placed on a pullman car the next morning and continued our trip to New York City. We arrived at Grand Central Station and were ushered by the Airline people to limousines which delivered us to the address we had given them. The luggage and a trunk was delivered separately.mpugxkeh8lu5kilze6s7hpxt114b2wyf

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Bella and I flew to Boston last night and arrived at 5:45 am this morning. This has to be one of the worst routes UAL flies: SFO-DEN, one hour layover then depart at midnight for BOS on a 3.5 hour flight, but it was the cheapest flight I could get with a discount coupon. After many uncomfortable flights this year and bad luck getting upgraded, expectations were low. Surprisingly though, our first leg was upgraded. Fruit plate, yay. At least we’d get some food and free alcohol. qsuyn73dyn1a2q1nf1ttm79m2l4sfnivOur flight attendant was unusually happy. “Our pleasure” she’d say after every interaction. Pre-flight drinks, food quickly served (no nuts though…) and wine glass kept full. Coincidentally, the next flight was going to be on the same plane, so chances for upgrading seemed better — the original flight was supposed to be on a 319, but this was a 320 — four more 1st class seats! The upgrade went through and there were even empty seats. 9pakfn6rir0gjib97j1z60ybvbs07g77We had the same uber-happy FA, but the coach class flight attendant was quite annoyed at having to tell me to shut down my computer (which I was doing) and returned later to tell me to turn off my phone (which I also was in the middle of doing). He then comped an upgrade to a woman on active duty from the back of plane, escorted her to the empty seat across from me, and returned several times (with more cologne each pass) to hit on her during the flight. qwu6we6qm4g5tm3hxp5o0e1eg3s4paj5Our flight attendant kept up her spirits the whole flight, I even managed to sleep for an hour, and wasn’t too exhausted when we landed.98bsinoumdna1xkq49ybjo2ptekcdszc