Okay since it is cold and I am in a writing mood I will add to the blog. I was thinking about the cold and trying to remember all those nasty days I and many of you spent outside working in cold, snowy, icy, plain lousy weather. I remember the de-icing which I really enjoyed that is of course if the equipment worked right it was really a lot of fun never felt the cold but we were much younger. I used to get a kick out of the look of the passengers face when he or she was looking out the window and I hit the window with de-icing fluid. Boy did they jump! But we had to be sure everything was cleared off…Those were the days.
I remember when I first made mechanic in Terminal Service going down to the line was pure adventure. You never knew what was going to happen and what work you were going to do that day or night. There was a lot of funny stuff like having to go out on the wing because a passenger noticed foot prints on the wing and wondered why, so we had to go out wipe them off (I always thought they should be happy as it indicated we worked out there and fixed everything). The best was the pants I pulled out of the toilet bowl (that blocked up, no kidding). We used to get called out to fix the seat back recline on (707′s) just before departure, somehow it was always a seat in the back of the plane so as you tried to walk off there was another request then another and by this time the stewardess was pushing you off the plane as the doors where getting ready to close. I remember working in Hanger 16 before we moved the Jet Center and the doors were stuck open and it was snowing inside the hangar and here I thought my move to the Jet Center would keep me out of the cold. I remember shortly after moving into the New Jet Center we found air coming out of the floor in isles (it was a result of air pipes under the cement that we’re leaking). So we taped plastic bags over the areas where air was coming out so they filled with air. We even punctured holes in the first bag taped to the floor and a second bag filled with air, now remember this is the middle of an isle way. The construction workers got real angry and ripped the bags down. I am not sure if the air leak ever got fixed. But throughout my time at Pan Am some of the best times where when we got a plane down to the gate on time or got that engine out when it was needed. I always felt a sense of pride and a good feeling that we were able to get people some famous most just the average public to destinations on all over the world. The symbol of the Blue Ball was known throughout the world as the leader in the airline industry from the USA.
I really can go on and on but looking back over the 26 years I worked at Pan Am I am PROUD to say that I worked the greatest airline in the world!!!!
I HAVE ADDED SOME LORE LINKS SO BE SUCH TO CHECK THEM OUT
THERE IS A POLL THAT YOU CAN FILL OUT TO GET SOME STATS ON YEARS OF SERVICE AT PAN AM
I wanted to get out a blog before Christmas and as usual I am cutting it close. So I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year!!!!!!!
It is hard to believe that 19 years have passed since Pan Am closed its doors. I look back and feel so proud to have been part of the greatest airline this country ever had or will have in the future. We all know the history of all that Pan Am accomplished not just for this country but airline travel would not be what it is today without the efforts of Pan Am. But when I think of the airline and my 26 years I worked there and all the history of the years prior to when most of us worked there one thing stands out in my mind. It is the friendships and the togetherness that made it the greatest airline ever. It is the dedication and love of our jobs the care and concern for not just the company but for each other that made Pan Am so special. It saddens me that some of the memories that we are remembered for are Flight 103 (thanks to the media) and that we are forgotten for all that we did for our country during WWII, Vietnam and more. Sadly I do remember that Christmas of 1988 sitting in my in laws church listening to the minister express his and the congregations sorrow of the loss of so many lives from Flight 103, it seemed as though all eyes where on me and as I too was feeling the deep pain and sorrow over what had happened and that somehow I was to blame. As sad as that moment was I look back over the years and what I feel is a deep love for my job and for all the friendships and wonderful experiences I had over those 26 years and continue to have every day. I am thankful that Pan Am gave me the opportunity to be able to live what I feel is the real American Dream, a wonderful family, a home, health, and happiness. I guess that is why the dinners we have and all the gatherings throughout the year (all over the world) is what Pan Am was really all about, which is not really known to the public but it sure has meaning to all of us.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to express my thoughts and I welcome others to do the same. We are all truly a family and no one can take that away from us. The company might be gone but it and all of its employees will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!!!
Yeah, I know where have I been? Well no one ever told me that being retired would keep me so busy. I volunteered to be on the Board of Directors of my community and that has taken a good deal of my time (my wife warned me). Also I have been driving around Pennsylvania looking for covered bridges and taking pictures. It is fun as well as interesting trying to get to some of the bridges, is not easy as the roads leading to them are let us say not driven on too often. But traveling around the state is fun and after the diner Dave and I ventured into New York to visit some covered bridges there and for sure that was an adventure! Sometimes it is not just the roads being dirt and gravel but the GPS coordinates are not always right and you have to hunt for the bridge, sometimes take a long walk in wooded areas as travel by car to them no longer exists. But I am having fun and as you can tell it is keeping me busy.
Needless to say I am glad to get a blog out and update with a few pictures of the diner in September. I will also update the shutterfly site with more pictures from the past that I have received and a few from get-together recently.
The diner was great and as usual we all enjoyed talking about the past years at Pan Am and all the new stuff like our aches and pains of today. It really is great to be able to have a night to get-together and laugh and joke about the years we all spent working and playing together. So many of us grew up together going to those super Pan Am picnics drinking beer, eating burgers, playing softball, setting up games for our kids (throwing watermelons..remember that one Ed). Then there was the great Christmas diners where everyone had a blast!! When we talk about what the company was really about for the people who had the honor to work there. It was the concern and care for each other and the pride we all had in our work. We where not just numbers but we where family working and caring for each other and the company. Most of us would never of thought to leave even in the bad times so it is really sad that it all ended but for the present it is great to be able be in contact with the Pan Am family not just from the hangers at JFK and the Jet Shop but from all around the world.
I have added a few more links to sites that I feel would be of interest, please take a look and enjoy.
If you notice in the picture of the whole group Nick Demayo is on his cell phone and guess who he is talking too? Well since many of you have no way of knowing I will tell you none other than Pete Wnnie who is down in Florida. I remember a holiday weekend that Pete drove in from upstate NY thinking Monday was a work day but to his surprise no one was there, oh well he was a day too early. His name must have come up in some conversation and Nick figured he would give him a buzz, of course the phone went around the room but I missed talking to him so after Nick hung up I called him back just to be sure I said my hello. Joe Rivera will be moving to Colorado so we will be missing him at the diners since that is rather long way to travel for the night but who knows we have had some guys up from Florida and Atlanta too. Anyone that still wants to stay in touch with Joe just contact me and I will forward Joe’s e-mail address to you.
Who remembers the box ball games in the back of hanger 16, and watching the shuttle taking off, hand ball at the test cell,stick ball against the hanger 14 doors, we sure had some great times. I remember changing a landing gear out on the runway, working thru breaks and lunch to get a plane out on time to the line and then watching the passengers walking on to the plane what a great feeling. I remember deicing planes shooting the deicer fluid on the windows that seemed to shake up the passengers, having to go out on the wing to wipe down the foot prints (as passengers thought it meant something was wrong). I remember walking on a plane just before departure to fix ONE seat back, in the back of the plane (just tapping on the armrest so the seat back button would engage) and being asked by many more of the passengers while I was trying to leave to fix theirs too. I am sure we all have stories and things we remember just wanted to bring back a few memories.
So much noise it is not easy to hear, isn’t that right Joe?
Phil has hi Ted!
Got the drinks waiting for the food
Is That a beer bottle on the table?
Lots of Talk going on here
What the heck is going on here ayway
Would you Believe?
Here is Dave Taking a picture of me as i am taking a picture of Him
Deep in Conversation
Larry Relaxing with a Big Smile
What a Group!
Hi Everyone,
Time sure goes by way too fast. We had our bi-monthly dinner on 3/19 and here it is the end on March already. Things are rather quiet for now but I am sure that with the good weather in view I will be getting out and around the area taking pictures and walking the trails in our area. I have added a few links for everyone to look at and will included a few sites to visit for your enjoyment. I added some captions but it is not easy trying to think of a description.
The dinner went well and everyone had a great time, as usual it is good to see everyone and get up to date on all that is new. I have been doing some reading about Pan Am history and what amazes me the most is that it interests me now more than it did when we where working. Ronnie Foo sent me a short VHS of a news report about our struggles and some familiar faces could be seen. Charlie Martinez was one of the faces and he has not changed a bit. Well Charlie you do look just a bit younger and have just a bit more hair. It is hard to believe that next year it will be 20 years that we have been out of business.
I am getting set for another trip to NY tomorrow and want to get out this blog so everyone can see the pictures and catch up on the new links I have added. I will post another blog and update the shutterfly site this weekend. I also want to wish everyone a very HAPPY EASTER and to all my Jewish friends trust you are enjoying the Passover Holiday. This is a great time of the year as we can start to get out of the house (at least for all of us in the northeast). Now that the winter is over and the snow is gone we have rain (just think if it was snow we would be buried in the stuff).
Again everyone enjoy the holiday will be back soon (with more pictures) from Rosie of the get-together on 3/25/10 in Florida.
Please check out the links and pages and feel free to make comments. Pass the site on to others from our Pan Am Family!!!!
Well we are trying to break records of snowfall for the 2009-2010 winters up here in the northeast. In fact some areas have already broken records and other areas like where I live are doing their best to reach those records. Hope all of you in the warmer climates are enjoying your winter. The snow really is not too bad as long as I do not have to go out and drive in it. On Thursday we had about 15″ of which most melted as it hit the ground. The weather reporters said it is due to the angle of the sun (which is higher) and the temperatures were not cold enough. So I had the opportunity to go out and take some interesting pictures of all they snow sticking on the trees (but not the roads). Enough of the weather reports for now. Trust everyone is doing fine.
I have had the pleasure of reading a story written by Helen Davey (who was a stewardess with Pan Am) and have requested to be able to post the link on this site. Helen’s story brought out some deep emotions of my years spent and Pan Am and the years that followed. Thinking back to the day I went to apply for the job my experience has been nothing but unforgettable. You know we worked for the greatest airline ever!!! The day that I applied for and got the job my dad said wow that is great you will be working for “The World’s Most Experienced Airline”; you will have a lifetime job! I guess he was wrong but it sure is a lifetime of wonderful memories and a lot more. It was with a great deal of pride and feeling of accomplishment when we worked our tails off throughout the night to get the plane down to the terminal on time for all the passengers to board on time. Believe it or not watching the passengers board always gave me a chill knowing that plane we just serviced would give pleasure and joy to so many families, businessmen and women and even to our country. We all always wanted to give our all to keep Pan Am flying and I am extremely proud to say that I worked for Pan Am!!!
I also have a few sites that have been e-mailed to me that I found interesting and will pass them on to you if you would like to view them: this first one has some great airplane photos http://www.cdsg.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=320
Also here is an important update: Well, it’s that time of the year again!!! Dust off the suit jacket and shine those shoes because we are getting ready to Party!!!
DATE: Saturday, October 2nd, 2010
TIME: 6:30 – 11:30 PM
PLACE: Plattduetsche Park Restaurant
Franklin Square, NY 5l6-354-3131
PRICE: $70/person
PLEASE SAVE THE DATE…..as always, we’re looking for a great turnout….spread the word!!!
Have a healthy and happy spring/summer. Additional info and invitation to follow late summer.
A message to all members of Pan Am and National Airlines Alumni
Join your friends and ex-coworkers sailing aboard the FUN SHIPCarnival Cruise Lines “Imagination” 4 Day Western Caribbean CruiseDepart from Miami visit Key West & CozumelSeptember 20 – 24, 2010 Inside Cabin $271.20 per person
Ocean View Cabin $316.20 per personLimited cabins for Triples and QuadsCall Victor for 3rd and 4th passenger rates.
Above prices are based on double occupancy. All Port Charges and Federal Taxes are included.
You will also receive a $25 cabin credit plus a 1 hour shared cocktail party for the group.Space is Limited. A deposit of $150 per person is due at time of booking.
Dear Pan Am Ladies and Gentlemen,The 75th China Clipper celebration/reunion is starting to be an “Affaire d’ amour.” There has been more interest about the reunion than originally anticipated and the SFO planning committee has had to revamp their initial plans and start over in order to accommodate everyone.. Plans are being finalized and detailed information about the reunion should be out in few days and if you are receiving this email you get the invitation notice. Interest is coming from all points on the compass and employees of all eras; JD Aderson from New Zealand, Harriet Hiram from Sweden, J. Haselbys from Berlin, and Frasers from Flat Lake, MT (???). Even got a letter from Bob Caldwell, Flag Staff, AZ, an 89 year weather man based at Treasurer Island in 1942 -1947 seeking information. Please be patient and be assured your SFO planning committee is working hard to make this celebration an interesting and wonderful event. Today, and it is not even noon for me, I have added four more names to my email data base because people want to be informed about reunion.
I have written a short article about the geopolitical conditions in the Pacific in 1935, which emphasis the monumental feat that Juan Trippe accomplished. I realize that many people have read Pan Am history but what I have written puts a different perspective on this historic event.
One last thing for now is that I have a few polls for everyone to take, I think a little fun and informational. This is your blog so if you have ideas or comments please express them. If you have stories that you would like to share please do. Let your friends know about it. Don’t forget to take a look at the shutterfly site for more pictures and a listing of events. I have include a mix of pictures for everyone but there is more on shutterfly.
Well I figured that since we are getting so much snow I would post a blog for the day. I am sure that many of you have a snow story about your time at Pan Am so I have tried to think of one myself. Of course my memory is not as good as it was or at least as my wife says it is selective (I am not sure what she means by that). So far this winter we have been fairly lucky in the Lehigh Valley last week we only (get that only) got about 7 inches and back in December maybe about 5 inches but today is another story we have about 8 inches now and it is only 11AM. They expect it to really get going soon and I was just outside and we are now getting lots of snow. Oh well not much we can do about it other than watch it come down and deal with it after it stops. I am lucky as I do not have to get out there with a shovel or snowblower as our streets, walks and driveways get plowed. I will load a few pictures for everyone to see, so those of you in warm sunny Florida will get a chill just looking at the photos.
How many of you remember if you ever slept over at the airport or got stuck on the way home or trying to get to work in a snow storm? I remember enjoying my de-icing days spraying off all the snow and ice that where on the wings and tail sections an any place else including ourselves. I always thought it was fun and never minded going up in the bucket. Work was fun in the snow but getting to work and home was not so much fun. Sitting on Southern State Parkway stuck in traffic was not much fun and trying to get off at your exit was usually even more of a challenge.
I received some great information about an article that was written by Helen Davey and feel everyone that was ever part of Pan Am would be interested in reading click
Don’t forget to check the links as I have added a few that I am sure will interest every one.
Looking Real Serious
Getting Ready for Break
John Gehres 75th Birthday
Harry & Anne Demiris Christmas
Howie Who?
All the Way from Florida
Well I showed you some snow pictures and added a few more that I hope will interest everyone. I posted a poll last time that found some of our readers left out as they did not work in any of the areas of choice. I updated the poll to included other areas…if I do not have your area that you worked the longest listed check off all others and let everyone know where you worked. It would be nice to spread out the blog to other areas aside from Jet Shop and hangar workers at JFK. Some of us worked all over the world and it would be nice to see and meet anyone from the Pan Am Family! Well I am getting ready to go take a look at snow falling…enjoy!!! I also added another poll to see years of service to Pan Am, give it a shot let see what years have the longest service. Time to go!
Before I go I also added the Shutterfly Site to the links … Take the time to visit it as there are some new and exciting pictures.
Well here I go trying something new of course without reading too much about how to do things so everyone hang in there and give me a chance to get things rolling. After learning a little I feel everyone will find this format better than the old blog. So next I will try some pictures and if I can figure it out will update this blog with the old one so everything will be in one place. Below is a story that everyone might find interesting about the 747 and as Rich Fiesel says without Pan Am things might have been different.
If you click on any of the pictures below you will be able to make a comment and maybe (just maybe) you would have something to say about your old buddies…grey hair, or a lot less, maybe that little bit of extra weight, or maybe wow you look great.
747 marks 40th anniversary of service, continues ‘incredible’ heritage
747 family’s accomplishments will grow with the new 747-8
From the third-floor deck of building 40-22 in the Everett factory, assembly installer Stan Edwards has a bird’s-eye view of the 747-8 Freighters that fill the assembly bay. As the 747 program celebrates the 40th anniversary of the airplane’s entry into service, Edwards also has a unique perspective on the historic effort to bring the world’s first jumbo jet airplane to market. He is one of the few remaining original “incredibles” still working on the 747 program.
“I think it’s incredible there are still a few of us here that worked on the first airplane,” Edwards said. “It’s a real sense of accomplishment.”
“Incredibles” is the name given to the team of engineers, mechanics, manufacturing workers and many others who made aviation history by designing, building and delivering the 747 to eager airlines around the world. The 747 entered service with Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) when 362 passengers boarded the airplane for a flight from New York to London on Jan. 21, 1970. However due to technical issues, the airplane did not takeoff until around 2 a.m. Eastern time on Jan. 22. Pan Am took delivery of its first 747-100 a few weeks earlier, shortly after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued the model’s type certification.
With more than 1,400 747s of various models now delivered to 95 airlines, several of the earliest freighter and passenger airplanes are still in service at 40 years old. Japan Airlines last fall retired its 747-200 classics after 35 years of service. “I think it’s a remarkable tribute to Boeing-the engineers, the manufacturing team and the people who service the airplanes for our customers,” said Joe Sutter, retired executive vice president of Engineering and Product Development who led the airplane’s development in the late 1960s.
“The 747 is a success after 40 years and still going strong with the new -8 model because we defined the airplane’s architecture in the right way,” said Sutter. “Boeing did its homework and listened to the customers to understand what the market wanted.”
In a Jan. 21, 1970 New York Times article on the first Pan Am flight, analysts wondered “…whether the airlines would be able to fill enough seats to make the airplane economical.” Less than six months later, more than a million passengers had flown on a 747.
Boeing Historian Michael Lombardi pointed out the 747-100′s entry into service came at a time when the country was setting and achieving big goals, such as the Apollo Moon landings. “It was an amazing time that presented an image of American ingenuity and know-how to the world. The 747 was a symbol of that and went on to be an icon of commercial travel,” he said.
Since the airplane entered service, the 747 family has conducted roughly 17 million flights taking passengers and cargo approximately 42 billion nautical miles (about 78 billion kilometers) – about the distance of flying to the moon and back 101,500 times. The 747 also has established itself as the leader in the air cargo market by carrying more than half the world’s air freight.
These accomplishments will continue to grow. The 747 program is about to make aviation history again with the first flight of the 747-8 Freighter early this year.
Edwards said he likely will retire in a few years and celebrate the 747′s 50th anniversary from a different perspective. “I’d like to travel and maybe fly on some of the airplanes I helped build.”
Photo Captions:
ABOVE: A banner announcing the inaugural voyage of the first 747-100 welcomes passengers on Jan. 21, 1970 at Kennedy Airport in New York, with the Pan Am jet waiting on the tarmac in the background. (Boeing Archives)
BELOW: Stan Edwards, an assembly installer, is one of the few remaining original “incredibles” still working on the 747 program. He is standing by the forward fuselage of a new 747-8 Freighter in systems installation. (Gail Hanusa photo)
I hope that everyone will be able to enjoy the new site I have set up links (look on the left) that will connect you to other great sites as well as the old blog and other links of interest to everyone. Please give all this a little time as it is different for all of us. I am trying to read about the site to get a better understanding about it so if things are not all easy and understandable give it time everyone will get the hang of it and will be more enjoyable.
Okay so I guess it is time for me to make my first post give it a try and let me know what you think. Also don’t forget to take the poll for fun (you can take up to two choices as I did because I can’t remember where I really worked the laonest up all toll it was Engine shop and other shops like rotor repair, case shop and coffee shop (was that a shop?).
