TURBULENCE AND LIGHTNING - HORSES AND THE WORLD SERIES

September 30, 1963

Dear Mother,

    Was I ever glad to get home Saturday. I never had such a terrible flight. (ORD - MKC) First of all, they told us we would have a four hour delay because of a mechanical. Most of the passengers got off and were protected on other flights. Then, in only an hour, they told us the plane was fixed. You can't tell me that plane was fixed in an hour when they said it would take four. You know how I dislike the Convair 880. The doors are so heavy, I fear I would not be able to open them in an emergency, and when you take off, you feel like the tail almost scrapes the ground. The jump seats in the back are the worst. I'd rather be on the jump seat in the woman's lave on the 749, that's how much I dislike it back there.

We ended up with only three people in coach, but the seat belt sign was on all the way. There was lightning on the right wing all the way. We went up and down and back and forth. I literally was hanging onto my seat. When we came into K.C., the cross winds were terrific. I never had a landing like that before. The blankets, pillows, coats and hats flew out of the overhead racks. We were scared to death. My knees were shaking when I walked down the stairs and hit the good 'ol terra firma. I've never been so frightened before. The pilots were laughing at us like it was no big deal, although they said the plane was being towed to hanger for "work".
(I still remember this flight and only had one more that was as frightening. That was prior to landing in Washington, DC on a flight from Tokyo. I was working TWA's press plane for President Lyndon Johnson's Asian Mission Tour. Lady Bird Johnson wrote about it in her published diaries. Air Force One was just ahead of us experiencing the same turbulence. More about that later.)


October 4, 1963

Dear Mother,

     I had a fabulous day of horseback riding yesterday. You know how much I have loved horses since I was a child. What ever happened to my collection of horses? Anyway, I loved the freedom of riding at a gallop and feeling like I was Dale Evans. Gosh! Remember how I used to play cowboys? I guess I always have had this "tom boy" streak in me for adventure.

   I got a call from my supervisor yesterday to do publicity of what TWA does for the World Series. On certain jet flights, we serve hot dogs, peanuts, beer, pass out pennants and wear ball caps. WDAF TV filmed me and another girl pretending we were serving passengers. I left on flight after that so I didn't get to see  it, but the girls saw it and said it was good. (The years before taping or DVR)