In May of 1930, Ellen Church, a registered nurse, convinced Steven Stimpson, manager of Boeing's office in San Francisco, that women could serve in the role of steward or flight attendant and that nurses were best able to care for ailing passengers. The first female flight attendants passed out sandwiches, water, and chewing gum. They also sold tickets, carried luggage, checked for gasoline leaks, and cleaned up after passengers. (See picture above.) It wasn't until 1933 that American Airlines followed suit and 1944 for Pan American.
The nurses earned $125.00 a month and worked alone--only one attendant per plane.
The rules to be an airline attendant were rigid. Due to small cabin size, they couldn't be over five feet, four inches and weigh no more than 118 pounds. They had to be between 20 and 26 years old and single. It wasn't until well into the 1960s that attendants were allowed to be married.
The information and picture for this post came from the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission.
Thanks for Reading!
Linda
http://www.lindalaroque.com/
Interesting article. The particular responsibilities you mention seem more appropriate for a married housewife or nurse's aide. My money would've been on the housewife who normally ran the home and took care of sick kids/spouses and waited on them hand-and-foot. Good article.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Linda. I never knew how female airline attendants got their start. Thanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteAnd they had to be nurses, it wasn't just a coincidence that she was a nurse!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Linda!
True, Anna. The thing that got me was checking for gas leaks.
ReplyDeleteMe either, Tiffany. I do remember they used to have the age requirement. I'm glad that's changed.
ReplyDeleteYep, nurses, Mary. I wonder how that $125.00 a month compared to a nurse's salary in the 1930s.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda,
ReplyDeleteInteresting post, I didn't realize that there were air hostesses in the 1930's.I would have thought after the 2nd World War, so, as the saying goes, you learn something new every day.
Thank you for posting it.
Regards
Margaret
What an interesting bit of trivia. We recently met one of the pioneer female pilots from WWII. Feisty and bold. She was indeed a hoot and very much an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteLinda--oh, how times have changed! Now, airline attendants look like me! Arghhhh. Thanks for the neat article--Celia
ReplyDeleteHi Margaret, I didn't realize there would be men but considering the times, it makes sense. Women hadn't been in the work place very long. I just assumed women were always flight attendants until I started this research.
ReplyDeleteHi, Angelica and Zi,
ReplyDeleteI bet she was interesting. We don't hear enough about their contribution.
I'm glad to see some mature women in the job. It was so glamorized in our youth. I think it's much harder work than we ever realized.
ReplyDeleteWow, Linda, that was really cool. Thanks for sharing. Amazing how that industry started isn't it, and how that it hasn't been that long since we've adopted more "fair" requirements for the industry. I really enjoyed this.
ReplyDeleteSmiles
Steph
Linda,
ReplyDeleteThose were the glamour years for the airlines in the 60's and 70's. People were polite and they dressed well for travel. After that it went down hill rapidly. People dress like they're going jogging or to the beach and they are rude.
You wouldn't believe what flight attendants had to put up with in the years following. It used to be a prestige job, but not any more. I could tell you a lot more, but there's not enough time. lol
Fascinating, Linda!! Thanks for sharing this. I really enjoyed reading about the early years. Wow.
ReplyDelete--Chiron O'Keefe
The Write Soul: www.chironokeefe.blogspot.com
Yes it is, Stephanie. Every time I get in a plane I'm amazed that the thing gets off the ground. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteHi Sandy. I flew to Hawaii to meet my hubby in 1968. I remember wearing a suit dress and heels for that long flight. Yes, I'm sure flight attendants have to put up with a lot these days.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it, Chiron. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteI know they had to be a certain size but I no idea they had to be shorter than 5'4" because of the small cabins. How interesting. And the registered nurse thing was a neat tip to learn. Thank you!
ReplyDelete