Interviewed on February 18, 2020
The interview describes Ms. Prater’s experiences during her career as a flight attendant with Flying Tiger Line from 1969 until 1971; decision to work for the airline, hiring process, and training; first flight, a MAC (Military Airlift Command) flight from Travis Air Force Base to Bien Hoa Air Base in Vietnam via Anchorage and Yokota Air Base in Japan; impressions of the passengers and anecdotes; her thoughts about her work and the war at that time; Douglas DC-8 Stretch; her work, including meal service; an incident involving a pilot under the influence of alcohol; uniforms she wore; compensation she received for her work, including her pay rate, per diem, and benefits; role of the Teamsters’ Union in negotiating compensation for Flying Tiger Line crew; reasons for leaving the airline and life after; influence of the women she worked with on her perspective about life and feminism; effects of the war in Vietnam on her family and the United States in general.
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