Interview conducted by Mauree Jean Perry on April 9, 1999.
Final transcript
The interview describes the life and career of Margaret Clark Thrush, who worked for TWA (Trans World Airlines) from 1937 until 1944 as an air hostess, an instructor, chief hostess at La Guardia Airport and Kansas City, and as assistant system chief hostess. She discusses her early life and her education and training as a nurse, graduating in 1935. She discusses briefly her work as a nurse and her decision to work for TWA. She describes the hiring process and her training in Kansas City, Missouri. She discusses the airplanes that she flew on, including the Douglas DC-2, DC-3, and the Boeing Stratoliner, with some discussion of different passenger configurations for night and day. She discusses her uniforms and the general working conditions, including a description of meal service. She talks about the work she performed and her compensation in her different roles with the airline. She describes the bases she flew from, Kansas City and New York La Guardia Airport; and some of the routes she flew to: Chicago, St. Louis, Columbus, Los Angeles, Albuquerque, and New York.
Ms. Thrush describes the relationships among the crew and her thoughts about TWA in general. She discusses her promotions and seniority, and the sexism she observed and experienced. She discusses her experiences with TWA Clipped Wings and the roles she took within the organization.
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