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Bob D'Amico / ABC
The style of the 1960s, the energy and excitement of the Jet Age and a drama full of sexy entanglements can be found in the new television series "Pan Am."
How does the "Pan Am" television series compare with real life travel?
If you watched the Sunday night premiere of "Pan Am," you might be wondering if the idyllic version of 1960s air travel matches the reality of those who worked for the iconic airline.
Overhead Bin wondered, too. So we asked two former Pan Am flight attendants to watch the show and tell us if their experiences were anything like those portrayed on-screen.
Bronwen Roberts
Bronwen Roberts in a 1958 Pan Am graduation photo.
Bronwen Roberts was hired at Pan Am in 1958 shortly after graduating England’s University of Leeds with a degree in French. She flew until 1989 and kept in a scrapbook the advertisement listing the 15 qualifications required of flight attendant applicants. “You had to have a pleasant personality and speaking voice, excellent health and you had to be single,” said Roberts. “Really single. Not widowed, divorced or separated.”
A weight between 110 and 135 pounds was another qualification. Roberts said the pre-flight weigh-ins and grooming inspections depicted on the show were true-to-life.
“When you checked in for a flight you’d go into the office and there’d be a grooming supervisor on duty all the time,” said Roberts. “She could say, ‘Your hair is too long’ or ‘You are overweight’ and send you home until you fixed it. Just like the TV show, you could get grounded for uniform violations.”
Helen Davey also found the on-screen grooming checks familiar. Now a psychotherapist in Los Angeles, she was hired as a Pan Am flight attendant in 1965 at age 21 and flew until 1986.
Paul Sheeline
Helen Davey in an undated photo from her days as a Pan Am flight attendant.
“Yes, we had to wear girdles,” said Davey. “And if you were one minute late for a trip, they’d send you home.”
In the first episode, a child is escorted into the cockpit mid-flight to visit the pilots. Passengers are also offered ashtrays so they can smoke. Roberts and Davey both said that those in-flight activities were once very common.
“We definitely took children into the cockpit so they could sit in the pilot’s seat,” said Roberts. “And in terms of smoking, we’d have little packets of cigarettes and matches that we’d go around with.”
“Even flight attendants could smoke,” added Davey. “But when they did, they had to be sitting down.”
In the episode (spoiler alert), two of the flight attendants are shown doing work for the CIA. If this seems like the least plausible story line, Roberts and Davey both said it was realistic.
“That is definitely a true story,” said Roberts, who during her tenure heard rumors that at least one flight attendant was involved with the CIA. “At one point she just disappeared. No one knew what happened to her.”
In fact, Nancy Hult Ganis, an executive producer for the show and a former Pan Am flight attendant, told wired.com that her research turned up stories about the airline’s involvement with State Department operations on behind-the-scene missions in dangerous locations.
The TV program also shows flight attendants with plenty of time to chit-chat, and at least one crew member involved in an off-duty affair with a passenger.
“Some of those flights were quite long – 15 or 20 hours – and there were fewer people, so you could get to know them,” said Roberts. “People weren’t glued to their laptops like they are now. And some people did end up marrying passengers they met on flights."
Roberts and Davey had only a few quibbles with the first episode. Both said their uniforms were a warmer, more subdued shade of blue than those worn by the TV actresses and that flight attendants in their day would never be allowed to have hair touching their shoulders.
But there’s one moment that Davey said was spot on. “I liked the scene when they were ready for take-off and one flight attendant says to the new hire, ‘Buckle up. Adventure calls.’ That’s how it was. We all thought we had lucked into the best job into the world.”
Related stories:
- Pan Am is flying again -- on TV
- Slideshow: The history of flight
- An interview with Steven Slater, a 'mad flight attendant'
- Flight attendants: Bartenders or bad cops
Find more by Harriet Baskas on StuckatTheAirport.com and follow her on Twitter.
Leave a Comment:
Who cares? I don't and I didn't read the article. It's a TV show for crying out loud.
Josh, you are correct. It is a TV show. But, it's also nice to know that those of us who were fortunate to fly Pan Am, have accurate memories. It's nice to know the show is striving for some sense of reality, unlike the current spate of 'reality' shows, or the cops n robber programs with their shoot outs and instant DNA analysis.
Travel used to be a 'dress up' affair. The planes were clean, the crew wasn't harried by obnoxious passengers, and it was 'an adventure' - a fun adventure. It might still be a fun adventure if/when you get past TSA.
Thanks for your valuable opinion.
But you are apparently so lonely that you want someone to care about your opinion about something you don't care about.
Grow up.
Pan Am is a nice look back on the things that were wrong in our culture and the many things that were right. I flew for Pan Am from (1977-1985) and caught the tail end of the good old days. It was nice to provide service with class unlike the cattle cars of today. I have had many careers since then but nothing comes close to that one!
Rain: I too, remember. And "Getting there is half the fun." That may be from a Continental advertisement, but the sentiment nevertheless holds.
I didn't like the cigarette smoke. It was nasty, eye-stinging, and aggravated my asthma condition. But the planes were flown, sometimes near-empty. So, the stewardess would always have an alternate seat for me.
Oh my, do I remember? Yes. A teary-eyed, hazy, sunlit, happy, "yes."
Perhaps it is good for us to get a look at how travel once was. Perhaps it is good to be reminded that we were not always treated like cattle, poked prodded and otherwise abused. Perhaps it is good to remember that at one time, United States citizens were not all considered 'potential suspects' by a group of police powered government workers with overlord powers who x-ray our underwear before we board. Life never was and never will be safe. Perhaps we need to remember that, too, and take a little less concern with 'absolute safety' and remember to enjoy our lives, for no matter what, they will be short enough.
Yeah but prices were per ticket where far more expensive back then. I would like to see better looking flight attendants rather then wondering if the lady serving me my in flight meal would fit out the E-hatch.
What a magnificent way to express what used to be, Voice of Doom! If only we could turn the clock back and actually enjoy the experience of flying.
Reading your comment was bittersweet. It made me so sad that those days no longer exist yet it made me very thankful that I got to enjoy them. I guess we can count that as a small benefit of being older...
I'm old enough to remember the days of being able to smoke on an airplane, amazing to me now - intrusive to say the least on those who did not smoke. But then I also remember the days of many smokers, including my parents who smoked in the car, in winter with the windows rolled up, and all us kids in the back. (Hanging over the front seat.)
It used to be wonderful to fly, but now I hate it, or, at least I hate the cattle drive part. We did dress nicely back then, and it was a relaxed experience unlike now.
The show was ok, the "I spy" stuff was a bit much. But according to the article, somewhat the real deal. I'll watch again, see if it gets more interesting.
I was born and lived a portion of my formative years in the Philippines. Manila is one of the earlier partners of PanAm in Asia. My dad flew a few times to from SFO, LA and Hawaii. He told me, probably during one of my rants about steadily rising cost of airfare, that his cost back then (50's 60' maybe) was far more expensive than what I pay now flying from JFK to Manila.
There was a time when flying was a high quality experience, but that was during a time when Americans were willing to pay for it. Todays reality is the complete opposite. People demand low price over higher quality. Economics 101, when consumers push prices down, companies respond by lowering quality.
I remember being the kid escorted to the cockpit. If only I still had the wings I was given!
I'd split the two issues. I don't recall 60s and 70s as the time that was safe for flying. The hijacking business was born right then. How many 747s have been captured and flown into various Arab countries with American passengers having to spend several days in captivity on a plane or maybe even being kidnapped afterwards for extended periods of time? When that part of air travel is recalled, current security procedures don't seem so intrusive.
I do however completely agree with the cattle treatment comment. Seems that in the good ol' days you could actually enjoy the flying experience, and both industry and passengers thought that flight was something special, something to look forward to; rather than something to endure.
I watched the show. I do not think the show will last very long because it is just a soap opra in the sky. You can only emphazise the girdles, weight, coffee tea or soda for just so long and then it is going to phase out.
Thought the opposite. It was refreshing and full of story lines with so many different passengers of all walks. So much better than the standard lawyer, doctor, detective shows. How many CSI's can we stand? Great show.
Adding in story lines involving CIA spy flight attendants will certainly give the show more substance. You will see that the show's backdrop will revolved around Pan Am, flying back in the day, etc. but I suspect the story lines that will be created for each character will give the show some longevity. You say soap opera in the sky? You're right, soap operas don't ever last.
I like the idea (it's almost like a female Mad Men) but I don't think it will last more than a season or two, the story just isnt there.
You have to remember that this is a brand new show, and the very first episode. Give it a few more weeks for the story to unfold. I thought the same, because they didn't really leave us hanging. But I'm giving it 2-3 more episodes to see if it will last :]
Personally, like the soap in the sky. Soap Operas happen everywhere..many times in non-traditional office settings. Airlines flew all over the world. There is enough material to write about for at least 20 years, with that in mind.
Watched the show and enjoyed it. I recorded, I'll probably watch it again because there are a lot of characters being developed.
I watched the show mainly to see how accurate it was. I was a flight attendant in the 60's for National Airlines out of Florida which was taken over by Pan Am. I can't comment on the CIA connection, but I believe it was a possibility. It was a great job to have back then and the show brought back many fond memories.
I also was based in Miami from 1965 to 1977 with NAL/PAA, and I remember when I first started the pilots were NEVER as young as the Capt. on the show.
Not until many years later did we finally get a Capt. that was the youngest Capt. in the history of Commercical airlines. Stan Barfield, he was 24. It is a good show to bring back some memories.
I have enjoyed the comments of the stewardess "veterans" - more than the show itself. Will keep watching the show, maybe it will develop well.
PanAm was always my first choice whenever I flew anywhere. The service was wonderful, the food was great, never had any problems. How I miss them!! The show brought back lots of memories - good ones. How sad the state of air travel has deteriorated to these days. I rarely ever fly any more, nor do I want to.
I flew Pan Am once. The flight attendants were lovely but the plane was horrible. The food was inedible and the plane was dirty. Never flew them again.
Kind of refreshing to see something new. I think there are some interesting stories there even if it's only for one season. I am not sure network TVis the right place for it. I can't stomach another "reality show".
Just another dumb show.
The Pan Am show last night brings back many memories, when travel was travel, not cattle car movements. I wonder if some one were to bring Pan Am back with all its great services , that it would succeed?..hummmmmm. And remember, not only was Pan Am a trend setter, it was also the first airlines to fly the (then new) 747.
I was a flight attendant for PAA and I'm enjoying the comments I'm reading . I did not see the show ... the promo's did not interest me , although they did bring back fond memories . I flew one of the first Commercial 747 flights, London, England .... Chicago USA . It was a glorious time , an era gone by . I'm so glad I could be part of it .
I flew the maiden flight of the first 747 from London to LA in June 1970. What a treat. We all got champagne. The plane was soooo roomy and everyone was so nice to each other! And so well groomed! The stewardess went around and got everyone's mailing address and within two weeks everyone who gave her their address got an honest to goodness certificate in the mail, with our name on it and stating we'd been on that maiden flight! What a keepsake! How times have changed. My husband flew Dulles-SFO yesterday and he said the operating word for all airport and airline employees was "surly." Sad. I am so glad I remember the good days on Pan Am and how classy it felt to dress up to fly, as they used to say, "Pan Am makes the going great."
I didn't watch the show but I have a very pleasant memory from a Pan Am flight. In 1970 I was a young serviceman on my way from vietnam to Hawaii for R & R. The flight attendant was a young, blond, very attractive woman named Susie. She spent quite a bit of time with each of us on board and made us feel human again. If I live to be a hundred I'll never forget her smell..... Chanel no. 5. Smelled like home.
I still have my Pan Am Junior Pilot Wings, and remember my flight back from England as a small kid. I was airsick all the way! I don't recall much about the stewardesses or anything else but heaving. But, I like the show, especially Christina Ricci!!! I hope it stays on for a few seasons.
rainlady2 Your observations are well taken by those who are old enough to know what it was like to fly Pan Am. Unfortunately there are many people who did not share that experience and their recollections of air travel are just a step above riding a bus. The 60’s and 70’s were a great time for air travel in that people were better mannered and looked at it as an adventure, which made for a more enjoyable trip. That being said, it is easy to understand the cynicism voiced by several of the individuals posting remarks. Have a great day and thanks for your observations.
Another fact, Pan Am stew's were gorgeous for the most part. I was personally stunned by one on Manhattan Beach who ran by in a white Bikini in 1968! Ridune Wartggard(sp) , spoke two languages and Norwegian. Her and her other Norway stews were the hottest on the beach back then.
Even with nothing else on, I couldn't stand to watch the whole show. It will not last a season.
Wow, well groomed and attractive flight attendants - what a concept. So glad we now have unionized trolls (for the most part) in the aisles today. Always a pleasure flying some of the foreign airlines that, apparently, still adhere to the pleasant and attractive qualifications.
Having been involved in aviation for many years my first thought was that the Captain was too young. In those days the senior captains bid for the overseas flights and were usually 50+ by the time they got to be senior captains. This guy didn't look over 35-40. I don't believe he would have been a captain on an intercontinental flight. I also thought the uniforms for the cabin crew were incorrect. Didn't the capt and first officer and flight engineer wear blueish-grey uniforms with the white hats which made them stand out in terminals from the usual black uniform black hat of the other US airlines?
We watched the premier last night and really enjoyed it brought back some great memories. When it was a special event to fly Pan Am internationally my family and I would always dress shirt and tie with a sport coat. You felt special flying on Pan Am and real proud of our Dad who was a pilot for Pan Am for 30 plus years. I remember hearing my Dad's voice over the intercom pointing out interesting things throughout our flight. Such as telling passengers to look out a certain side of the cabin to see the Northern lights or ice bergs over the north Atlantic. He truly was my hero and there will never be another carrier like Pan American World airways.
I dont thnk so. I think price have stayed the same, unless you compare how much dollar has lost the value.
as a former stew for Continental and getting to fly our overeas routes and MAC flights, PanAm delivered it just right for the show! Really enjoyed it and am so anxious to watch it each week! I hope it stays on awhile! There can be lots of story lines the writers could come with! I flew from 1968 thru 1978 and LOVED every minute of it!!
gosh, this brings back memories. Was a stew for Braniff Airlines, went into Seaboard World/MATS.. our outfits were beautiful.
The Vietnam soldier coming back on R&R's wer so polite, and everyone was wel-grommed.. what a concept.
I think Pan Am was the best American airline with very competitve prices. So long Pan Am was in business I always used fly with them.
Now a day I shudder when I have to take an overseas flight, specially checking, food, service, luggages etc ..etc.
Another good memory of air travel back in the 60's-70's...Travelers didn't dress in dirty cutoffs, flip-flops, shredded jeans and stained t-shirts..and they actually bathed and shampooed before boarding. Many do dress appropriately, but seems more and more do not. AND we had manners..no pushing, shoving and hogging the overhead bins.
OMG. You hit it right on the head. soooooo nice to see people dressed for the adventure. I was a flight attendant for 4 years and I've seen enough flannel pajama pants and bedroom slippers and huggy pillows to last me a life time.
So what is wrong with flip flops?
Thong sandals flip-flops are one thing, but rubber shower shoes flip-flops...not so much. Save them for the beach or the shower... and if you're going to wear any sandals, one should have clean feet and cleaned and trimmed toenails. Have seen some really cruddy feet and toenails at times.
The captain looked too young. Back then only senior captains bid for the overseas routes and they were usually 50+ by the time they made senior captain. This guy looks as if he is 34-40. I don't believe anyone that young would be a senior captain. they should have done better casting. I agreed with the white hats that made them stand out from the other US airlines but I thought the uniforms were a bluish grey rather than black. I may be mistaken as the last time I flew PanAm was to Paris in 1978
I thought he looked like he was in his mid-20s! Everyone on the show looked like they were in their 20s... Of course it is a soap.
Juan Trippe, the founder of Pan Am, dressed the pilots and engineers in Navy style uniforms. The color was Navy blue.
Pan Am started off with huge flying boats traveling to China and South America. Thus, the Navy style or mariner uniforms were considered appropriate.
PanAm was always known to be the first airline, across the Atlantic, Pacific, and around the world. I have a coupon when the astronauts landed on the moon, and PanAm advertised first airline to the moon. It is in my memory drawer. I wonder how many people have one of those???
What a wonderful concept..a memory drawer. I am reading some of these comments about the show, which I enjoyed very much and remember them only in shows. I never got to travel when I was younger that was for people who had money. I loved the late 60's and 70's people had manners, they were courteous, they didn't go out in their PJ's, they respected others I wish those times were back again. Anyway back to reality!
When I was a kid my dad was in the Navy and we had to fly to where ever he was stationed and it was always Pan Am. Love the show and the memories it brings. Yes, People used to dress well and I remember everytime I got on a plane it was an adventure and now it's just a pain in the butt. I so wish for those days to be back.
The show is what we need at this point. The TV has had nothing good on in a long time