Hostess Training

March 13, 1962

Dear Mother,

     I'll be so glad when this week is over! Yesterday we went to class with rollers in our hair and no make up. Can you imagine? Here we all were standing on the corner of Main street waiting for the bus looking horrible. You know me and my dark eyes, it was so hard for me to face anyone. We all put a white scarf on our heads. We spent the whole morning applying make-up, combing out our hair and having a manicure. One girl is really having problems because she had long hair and ever since they cut it, she can't get used to using the rollers. They really had to work with her. There's another who keeps picking her nail polish off in class. She got reprimanded. She said it's becasue she is so nervous. Aren't we all!  After lunch, we were drilled on emergency procedures.
     Today we had a drill on an emergency landing in the cabin trainer. I got to work the D position. Then we had our F.A.A. test which was eight pages of 20 essay questions. If we don't get a 90, a make-up test is given, and if we don't pass the make-up - good-by TWA. Tomorrow's test is on Hostess Regulations -  you know, wear the girdle, when to wear the hat and the gloves, chewing gum, smoking, etc. This should be about the easiest compared to all the others.
     We bid for our bases and I'm a nervous wreck. Here's how I bid:  MKC, (Kansas City) LAX, SFO, BOS, (Boston) MDW, (Midway -Chicago) IDL, (before it was JFK) and EWR. (Newark) It will be announced Friday.
     I feel very depressed and sick of all this all of a sudden. Of course, I'm due for my "friend", and this may be my natural day before - grouchy mood. I could just scream - I feel so tense.
     Oh well, I guess I'll get over it.
                                                        Love, Tish


March 14, 1962

Dear Mommy,
     I feel much better today, and wanted you to know I'm not depressed anymore. We got our scores on three tests and I got two 100's and one 99. I was so relieved and happy. Today was graduation for the class ahead of us. Next week, it will be us! We haven't tried on our uniforms yet, but maybe tomorrow.
     Would you look for my camera? I sure would like to have a flash camera. I hope we find out our bases tomorrow. I can hardly wait. There were six of us who bid MKC, six IDL, two MDW, one LAX, one SFO.
    I am elated that you and Kathleen will be here for graduation. I think Kathleen can pin on my wings.This will really top things off for me. (My sister, Kathleen, started flying for TWA in 1957, and at that time, she was a Supervisor of Hostesses in Chicago.)
     The card you sent was absolutely precious. It was so perfect - sounded just like you. Must close----
                                                   Love, Tish     xxx