Come Fly With Me!

I left Chicago's O'Hare Field (ORD) for Kansas City, MO (MKC) on Saturday, February 17, 1962 to start six week's of Hostess Training with Trans World Airlines. My first letter to my mother was written that night. 

We were housed at the Casa Loma Apartments on the Country Club Plaza, and had to take a city bus downtown to the training center.

Here I am, two months after turning 20 years old, dressed up for my going away party. I even had a corsage! Of course, mother had fresh flowers, and  candles on the table and the traditional sheet cake.

My family ~ my mother, Ardelle, my sisters, Mary Ann and Kathleen

MY FIRST LETTER 

Kansas City, Saturday, February 17, 1962

Dear Mother,
     The flight was rough.  I did a stupid thing and forgot my train case at the airport - they'll send it out tomorrow - all my make-up! I knew I'd pull something like that. (For those who know me well, this comes as no surprise.)We got to the aparment o.k. There are three girls in each room and there were four of us. So Tishy got stuck alone, but not for long. Within an hour, my 2 roommates arrived. Debbie from L.A. and Janet from PA. (Janet and I are still friends!)
     We got very hungry, so the six of us decided to go across the street to eat. We met three more girls starting training. One girl is from Boston and has been to Bermuda and Nassau - a doctor's daughter. (I thought she was so worldly!) One of the girls has a friend who has been in training for three weeks and she said everyone gets a hair cut and perm. Physicals are Monday.
     We're right across the street from the Plaza. It's so much larger than I thought! I can't believe I'm here! 
                                    Love, Tish


February 20, 1962
(Day two of training)

Dear Mother,
     I thought I'd start my letter while I'm waiting for supper to get done. I'm cooking tonight. Everything is under control. (Gee, a sure sign I have always been a "control freak".) We're putting $5 a week in for groceries and keep the money in a can. I'm the only one who knows how to make gravy. (Now, at that time, that was a feat!) I'm trying to eat eat eat so I don't lose weight. (I can't believe this is me!)
     So far, both girls seem clean, neat and cooperative. (Everything I dreamed of?!?!?) Today was another big day. We went to Harzfelds and had our hair done. Everyone sure looked good. Some girls had perms, but I didn't need one and had a wash and set.  I studied 2-1/2 hours last night and already know 13 city codes.  Tomorrow we have fittings for our hats and coats and then make-up.  I still can't believe I'm really here. I keep trying but don't know when it will hit me.
                                                                Love, Tish

P.S. I'm the only out out of the six of us who got mail.



March 1, 1962

Dear Mommy,
     Tomorrow we go on an hour jet flight at MCI. Each of these flights cost $1,000 and every class goes on one. We  will do a straight dive from 32,000 ft. to 15,000 ft. Plus banking to left and right and a few other tricks. ha ha. Please don't have heart failure. M.J's dad is a doctor and he sent some air sick pills that we're going to take.
     We're going to take a familiarization flight next weekend. (This is a flight we sit on as a passenger and observe.) We may go to L.A. or N.Y. Can hardly believe two weeks have gone by. I'm sort of jittery about tomorrow's flight - only afraid I'll get sick - the rest will be exciting.
                                                       Love, Tish