Flying became more comfortable this week in 1930 —when United Airlines made the first flight with an airline stewardess, Ellen Church. She tended passengers on a flight from San Francisco to Cheyenne, Wyoming. The criteria for the job was that she could be no older than 25, no taller than 5 feet, 4 inches, and weigh no more than 115 pounds and be a registered nurse. The idea caught on, and being a stewardess became one of the most sought-after jobs for young women. Today the proper term is “flight attendant,” and they are a vital part of the U.S. airline industry. In 1930, there were just under 500 airliners in service. Today, that number is more than 7,800. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.
Discuss and more on the Open Lines!