Interviewed on September 12 and October 3, 2022
The interview describes the life and career of Marcia Morihara, who was a stewardess and flight attendant for United Airlines from 1968 until her retirement in 2015; childhood in Honolulu, college education in Colorado and California, decision to move to San Francisco, and work as a teacher; decision to apply for a position at United and the interview process, training in Des Plaines, Illinois, including lessons on safety training, appearance, and deportment; briefl description of “fright flight” training; Los Angeles and San Francisco bases; first flight as well as a typical flight, a typical month, and layovers in Hawaii; detailed descriptions of the Hawaii routes, uniforms she wore, meal service, and passengers; Douglas DC-6, the DC-8, and the Boeing 747; various uniforms; transition after United purchased the Pan American World Airways Pacific routes, merging the cabin crews, and cultural differences between the two airlines; importance of seniority; rule change that enabled married women to work as flight attendants; working with people from diverse backgrounds; challenging moments, the effects of 9/11 on her work, and health issues; celebrities she met; celebrating the holidays with other flight attendants on layovers.
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