Remember Our Old Airlines?
7:58 AM March 24, 2008
I got a bit nostalgic this weekend, as I boarded a flight from LAX to Oakland. I found myself longing for those old planes with the smiles painted on them.
Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) went out of business twenty years ago. It was swallowed up by US Air.
But it remains one of the most beloved airlines, even now. There was something fun and stylish about it. The stewardesses wore pastel-colored miniskirts and boots, with hats.
The planes all had smiles. "PSA gives you a lift" and "Catch our Smile" were the slogans on the commercials. And they'd fly you from Hollywood-Burbank (as it was called back then) to Sacramento for $19.50.
Back then, airlines were actually based here in California.
In addition to PSA, we had Hughes Air West, with its banana-colored planes.
Remember Western Airlines ("The Only Way to Fly")?
Growing up here in Southern California, I took many trips to the Bay Area, usually on PSA, to visit my grandparents. I believe I may have flown there on propeller planes as a young child. Those flights were always something to look forward to.
Thank goodness for the internet, which has several great airline nostalgia websites. And you can still see commercials for PSA and Hughes Air West on YouTube.
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Posted by: Louis Vuitton Sandals | August 19, 2011 at 07:38 PM
You used to see so many different planes back then on the tarmacs and jet ways…in a way it’s kinda sad.
Posted by: NFL Jerseys | August 15, 2011 at 01:45 AM
Do not forget our history,then do not forget our menory.
Posted by: nfl | July 23, 2011 at 01:12 AM
Thanks Eric for reminding us what great airlines we had. From attendants fashions in the 60s, to the great commercials (one I remember is for PanAm, where the attendants were parading in front of the Effil Tower in Paris). The little bird on Western Airlines..the best! Thanks again Eric for the jounrney down memory lane.
Posted by: Laura in Los Angeles | April 05, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Eric,
Remember Air California?
As a former employee I have very fond memories of the old Orange County Airport when the gate was indeed just a gate on the side of the airport terminal that had to be wheeled open with each arrival/departure.
Posted by: Peggy | April 01, 2008 at 11:29 PM
Hi Eric,
Just wanted to say that you are a WONDERFUL addition to the "Early Edition News. You and Cher are great together!! How are you adjusting to the jacket and tie??
About the earlier years of the airlines.. As a child I always wanted to be one of the the "stewardess"..the women were always so beautiful and the job seemed so glamorous for a young girl like myself at that time. The attendants were more well regarded back then..now a days we consider them to be "JUST" a waitor or waitress on an airplane, even though the position seems to be much more demanding than we realize. Not only due to much more demanding people, but also all the risks in the air.
Thank you for your blogs.. Your insight on many issues is appreciated!! Oh, by the way..I have been watching KTLA for many years.. You have always been a favorite..Please keep us informed.. THANKS AGAIN ERIC!!
See you tomorrow at 6am..
Posted by: Robin | March 25, 2008 at 01:56 PM
Hi Eric,
I loved PSA, I took my first flight on one, but I also saw one of their flights go down in San Diego. I was in 8th grade and will never forget that fireball coming down in North Park. I think that was the beginning of the end for them.
Posted by: ljr--yl | March 25, 2008 at 11:43 AM
I remember TWA airlines because a neighbor worked for the airline. I believe the slogan was "up, up and away on TWA". Another way to see the "old" planes is to watch old TV programs like "77 Sunset Strip" and "Hawaiian Eye". On these programs sometimes they would fly on 4-prop planes and sometimes on 707 jets.
Posted by: Gary A. Gustafson | March 25, 2008 at 08:54 AM
Eric:
Another great blog. Yes I miss PSA too. That's when flying out of LA was fun. Now it's a pain in the ass. Thanks for memories. Have a great day.
Posted by: Paul | March 24, 2008 at 04:47 PM
Eric, PSA brings back bad memories for me. Sometimes I would fly from LAX to San Jose and then take a bus to Fort Ord. I do enjoy seeing old movies and see an old airline as part of a scene. Take care.
Posted by: George the Mn Rat | March 24, 2008 at 03:08 PM
We're building a collection of nostalgic dramatic TV programs to watch in the evening when there's nothing on television - Banacek, Hawaii Five-O, Mannix. Airport scenes of stewardesses wearing hats and gloves, passengers professionally attired, even young boys wearing suits and ties seems surreal. Air travel has certainly changed.
Posted by: jozielee | March 24, 2008 at 08:32 AM
How funny Eric...our family was talking about the same thing this past weekend. We were watching an old movie and saw "Western Airlines", (my mother worked for them for 25 years then had to move to Atlanta when Delta bought them). I still remember Western when they had the “Indian” before the “W”, (did I just show my age??).
I remember when we used to count the “Smiley Face Planes”. You used to see so many different planes back then on the tarmacs and jet ways…in a way it’s kinda sad.
Have a great week Eric…Thanks :)
Posted by: Laura in Palmdale | March 24, 2008 at 08:24 AM