Interview conducted on September 23, 1999.
Final transcript
The interview describes the Talbots’ careers with Pan American Airways during the early to mid-1940s.
Mary Talbot discusses her hiring and work in the Passenger Department; describes reservation and ticketing process; changes that occurred after the bombing of Pearl Harbor; relocation of Pan American’s base from Treasure Island to Mills Field; decision to become a stewardess in 1945, her training and work; describes the Boeing 314 and galley and meal service on the aircraft; describes her work on the Douglas DC-4 and (very briefly) the Lockheed Constellation; describes routes between San Francisco, Honolulu, New Zealand (Auckland), Suva, Manila, and Canton.
George Talbot discusses his work and CPT training prior to his hire by Pan American Airways; the impact his color-blindness had on his career options; his work in the Traffic Department at the Treasure Island facility; details about passenger check-in and baggage loading; transfer to Honolulu and Pearl City; living and working conditions; coordination of mail and service personnel transport under contract with the United States Navy.
Both of the Talbots describe the Golden Gate International Exposition (GGIE) in 1939, the Pan American facility on Treasure Island in the early 1940s, and Mills Field after Pan American’s relocation; briefly discuss unions, compensation, and labor practices at Pan American; relationship between the airline and the Navy both on Treasure Island and in Pearl City / Honolulu; brief interactions with Admiral Chester W. Nimitz.
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