Summer Travels, On a Wing and a Prayer

So, you’re doing some air travel for the summer? Perhaps you’re anticipating the destination, but not the journey itself. We can commiserate. Yes, there can be many vexations with modern air travel, even in the 21st century. As annoying as it can be, let’s take you back to an earlier era when it was even more unnerving and just plain daring to take to the air.

Luckily, knickerbockers are no longer de rigueur, unless you are pining to show off those fancy new argyle socks Grandma gave you for the holidays.

Photo of Richard “Dick” Leferink, an early Wyoming pilot and barnstormer, from his scrapbook housed at the AHC (Collection No. 7818). Photo dated 1928.

Although this would be a homey touch for your plane’s pushback, it’s more likely the tractor will be made by a company like AERO Specialties rather than John Deere.

From the Richard Leferink scrapbook, Collection No. 7818, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

It’s highly unlikely that the airport’s ground crew will use your plane to show off their catch of the day but if they do, send us a picture!

Box 88, S. N. Leek papers, Collection No. 3138, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

No need for us to dress for the elements at 30,000 feet. We can feel fortunate for that.

Navy Lt Commander Theodore “Spuds” Ellyson with Glen H. Curtiss, 1910. Photo File: Planes-Old Timers, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

So can our pets!

From the Richard Leferink scrapbook, Collection No. 7818, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Unfortunately, one thing hasn’t changed. We’re still at the mercy of airline schedules.

From the Richard Leferink scrapbook, Collection No. 7818, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Your welcoming party can no longer greet you at planeside. That’s no fun. They’ll have to greet you in baggage claim. But at least they’re available to help you find that lost luggage.

Box 82, Folder 18, Roscoe Turner papers, Collection No. 5267, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

The romance of air travel may have waned, but we must admit it’s a lot faster. If your flight doesn’t get canceled that is.

We do hope you have safe travels and a very happy summer!

#alwaysarchiving

This entry was posted in aviation, aviation history, Holidays, Photographic collections, Uncategorized and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply