YLW Connection - Summer 2009 - (Page 16)

History of the FLIGHT ATTENDANT Changing with the Times 1940’s stewardess | B Y D OR OT H Y B ROTHERTON es. “M assive changes –” that’s how Gretchen Aird describes the evolution of airline flight attendants: focus has switched from service to safety, gender discrimination is largely gone, and uniforms have transformed. Aird was a stewardess, as they were called then, for Air Canada from 1960 to 1967, and in 1980 founded a Canada-wide organization for flight attendants called “Canadian Maple Wings.” Stewardesses once had to meet strict height and weight requirements, could not marry, had to be registered nurses, had to retire at age 32, and were required to wear military-style uniforms and keep their stocking seams straight. Lucile Garner Grant, an Ontario nurse, was the first Canadian stewardess, hired by TransCanada Airlines in 1938. She’ll turn 100 next year. In 1939 Grant taught the first stewardess training course, held in Winnipeg for 15 young ladies. She designed the first TCA uniform, a navy blue skirt-suit with white blouse or crew-neck sweater for cold weather, with matching gloves. Hats were made by a Vancouver milliner. Grant flew on a little 10-A Lockheed plane out of Winnipeg. She not only trained and hired stewardesses, but helped equip the plane’s interior, adding jump seats, a galley, blankets, trays and pillows. Her stewardess’ satchel included Alka-Seltzer, cigarettes and matches. She got rid of sardine sandwiches from early menus. During a weather delay at Fort Nelson, she rode by dogsled to the radio station, bumping along on the ice, wolves howling in the distance. Like many pioneers, Grant didn’t realize the significance of her work until many years later. In the next few years, more planes filled the skies and more stewardesses were needed. Dorothy Rye Horton, who flew 1954-55 for TCA, remembers: “We were instructed to wear a girdle at all times. None of us in those days had an ounce of fat--fat was not allowed.” Sylvie Hoyer tells of the lounge hostess part of the job, added when the B-747 arrived at Air Canada in the early 1970s. The stewardess changed into silky bell-bottom pants, jacket and sash, in pale pink or burgundy before inviting first class passengers to the upper deck for champagne, cocktails and caviar, and to dance with her if they wished. Men could become stewards or pursers, with similar duties to stewardesses, but they earned more and were allowed to marry. With the introduction of the DC8 jet in the 1960’s, long distances could be covered in short times and air travel opened to many more passengers. Stewardess training was increased, but being paid according to flying time, they earned less. Added to that was the indignity that untrained male stewards were put on the DC8, although it was women who had the additional training. “That was the first huge threatened strike. In 1968 we rose in arms,” said Aird. It took time, but things changed. The inclusive term “flight attendant” replaced stewardess, steward and purser. Pay is now generally equal for equal work. 16 YLW CONNECTION

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of YLW Connection - Summer 2009

YLW Connection - Summer 2009
Contents
Airport Services
Volunteers Key to Customer Service Experience at YLW
Vancouver- Games Ready
The Right Model for the Right Times?
What's in a Name
Passenger Demand Dictates Growth at YLW
The Shuswap
History of the Flight Attendant
Golfer's Paradise
Kelowna is Ripe with Surprises
Okanagan Housing Market Full of Activity
YLW News
Trivia & Games

YLW Connection - Summer 2009

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