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Braniff Airways History: Braniff Service
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Pilot's flight report for in-cabin circulation among passengers, c. 1947 -- 1949.
TL1997.2
Courtesy of Mrs. Delores G. Olson
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In 1937, Braniff Airways established its tradition of hostess service. Rather than using the popularly accepted term stewardess, the airline called its flight attendants hostesses. Braniff purchased the right to the hostess terminology from TWA along with its first DC-2 aircraft. TWA originally utilized the term in 1935.
Ten women made up Braniff's first hostess class. Eight hundred had applied. These dedicated women, and later men, often served as the airline's most direct contact with its public. They underwent intensive classroom and on-the-job training to ensure Braniff passengers a comfortable and enjoyable flight.
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A hostess' life was often less than glamorous. She frequently contended with adverse weather conditions, turbulence, worried and occasionally air-sick passengers, manifests and flight reports, schedule changes, and long lay-overs. In the early days, the lack of pressurized cabins and air conditioning further added to her woes. A hostess had to to be knowledgeable in meteorology and navigation, in addition to memorizing all Braniff routes and flight schedules.
Physical requirements for 1937 Braniff hostesses were: female, with two years of college and a speaking knowledge of Spanish. A pleasing personality with the ability to interact well with the public. An attractive appearance, age 21 - 26, between five feet and five feet four in height, and weighing no more than 118 lbs. As aviation was a new and mysterious adventure, the pioneering hostesses were also registered nurses. Male cabin attendants, called pursers, appeared in 1946. Pursers flew DC-4 service until 1952.
Hostesses and pursers purchased their first full uniform. Generally costing more than a month's salary, payroll deductions covered the payments. The airline issued their subsequent uniforms free of charge. In some instances, such as the 1959 "jet jacket" and 1968 lynx fur coat, components of the uniforms remained the property of the airline who issued them on short-term loan.
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