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CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - A University of Wyoming graduate student says the first airline stewardesses - many of whom were trained at a school in Cheyenne - faced a variety of adventures and responsibilities unheard of by modern flight attendants.
Michael Kassel, who is pursuing a graduate degree in history, hopes to gather enough information on early stewardesses to eventually write a book on the subject. He presented some of his findings at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum on Saturday as the museum celebrated 100 years of powered flight.
``Nothing's really been written about this,'' Kassel said.
One early stewardess was Inez Keller.
Keller was once on a United Airlines flight headed across the Wamsutter Mountains. The plane was having a tough time making it over the range, however, and could not gain enough altitude on three attempts.
Before the pilot tried a fourth time, he asked Keller to get out of the plane. Without her 115 or so pounds, the plane achieved enough altitude to clear the peaks and continue on its way.
Keller most likely was trained as a stewardess in Cheyenne, where Boeing Air Transport - later United Airlines - had its headquarters and where it operated a stewardess school from 1947 to 1961. Stewardesses first trained in Cheyenne, however, in 1930.
Kassel learned that Cheyenne was once a key city in cross-country travel. ``Until 1947, people in Denver who wanted to fly would have to come here,'' he said.
Stewardesses of Keller's time had to be no older than 25, no taller than 5-feet, 4 inches, and weigh no more than 115 pounds. Also they had to be trained as nurses.
They flew in Boeing 80-A Trimotors, which had fabric wings and tiny passenger compartments. Their duties included carrying and tagging luggage, pushing planes into the hangar, weighing luggage and passengers, and carrying buckets of fuel when necessary.
Kassel said the most the most amazing fact he's come across is the number of women who were trained in Cheyenne.
``Stewardesses generally worked for about 26 months, so the airline needed 600 new stewardesses every year,'' he said.
The total trained was 6,700.

At one time, flight attendents were all men. The idea of a female stewardess only came into play in the late 30s.

Before the pilot tried a fourth time, he asked Keller to get out of the plane. Without her 115 or so pounds, the plane achieved enough altitude to clear the peaks and continue on its way.

What?

How rude.

I'm asuming she had a parachute, or atleast I would hope she did. But still, she could have been killed even with a parachute

I'm assuming they went back to the airfield before they asked her to get out...  :D

At one time, flight attendents were all men. The idea of a female stewardess only came into play in the late 30s.

and not meaning to start anything here because im sure there are plenty of straight flight attendants (male) but do u notice a slight tendency for males to be gay at all?? ? ??

and not meaning to start anything here because im sure there are plenty of straight flight attendants (male) but do u notice a slight tendency for males to be gay at all?? ? ??

There is certainly some truth in this although I don't see why it should be an issue. Some gay people are suited to certain professions, this being one of them.

I believe the original Imperial Airways stewards were male, recruited from the best hotels in the country. Air travel was something special in those days.

PS. One of my favourite nieces is a cabin crew member for Virgin Atlantic. I think that's what they like to be called these days.

I believe the original Imperial Airways stewards were male, recruited from the best hotels in the country. Air travel was something special in those days.

Izzit true that in the "glory" days of Imperial Airways - ie the HP42 flights - that a toast to the King was made at tea time?

Izzit true that in the "glory" days of Imperial Airways - ie the HP42 flights - that a toast to the King was made at tea time?

Quite possibly Felix although I would need to confirm it. The Imperial Airways flying boats were run like an ocean liner with all the frills. They were, after all, in direct competition.

Virgin always have NICE cabin crew of the female persuasion.

Virgin always have NICE cabin crew of the female persuasion.

My niece is very beautiful with a charming personality. Absolutely ideal for the job. She is also spoken for so forget any ideas of that sort.

AHEM....need I remind anyone that I'm still around?


Few things...

The first [glb]FLIGHT ATTENDANTS[/glb] were indeed men.

Second, there has been quite a tremendous amount of research done into the history of flight attendants.  Many books have been written.

Third, yes, there are many gay male flight attendants, this isn't news.  But many of us like women.  Trust me, I looooooooooove them.  lol

AHEM....need I remind anyone that I'm still around?


Few things...

The first [glb]FLIGHT ATTENDANTS[/glb] were indeed men.

Hi Scott. Where have you been? Now I know you were once a Flight Attendant but male cabin crew were originally called Stewards. http://www.imperial-airways.com/Misc_international_air_liners.html

Their female equivalents were known as Air Hostesses & proud of it.

I know, but what I was saying was in reference to the "S" word that was used earlier...nails on a blackboard to modern day flight attendants.  lol

That may be so. It must be me but I fail to see what the objection is. I think it's a load of politically-correct nonsense myself & dread to think where it will all end. The mind boggles.

For example: My local dustmen (garbage collectors) do a vital job. They've been proud to be called dustmen for longer than I can remember. Due to a regulation somebody with nothing better to do dreamed up they're now called Waste Disposal Service Operatives or something equally stupid. It's quite likely this will  be changed again next week because some other idiot objects to it. They're still the same guys doing the same job & still dustmen to me. LOL