Step into my time machine and travel back to 1980 with me. You’ve just got a big promotion, requiring a lot of travel, so you pick up The Air Traveler’s Handbook for some tips and tricks.
First published in London in 1978 and reprinted in 1980 you can learn about:
- Runways
- Aircraft Design
- Supersonic aircraft
- Air Traffic Control
- Cabin Layout and
- Cabin Comfort
Scrolling further back you can find pics of each airlines insignia so you can identify such airlines as: Allegheny, Ansett, Hughes Airwest, National, Southern, American Airlines 747 and more.
Some important tips you’ll want to implement:
“Most businessmen fly scheduled flights… Competition for the rich lode of commercial traffic runs high, so many airlines offer special ‘club’ facilities for regular customers. For an annual subscription as low as $25 you can join TWA’s Ambassadors Club or Pan Am’s Clipper Club.”
If you have an important business meeting or merger and acquisition coming up remember this tip listed under Jet-lag:
“Some companies ban their executives from taking major decisions within 24 hours of a five-hour time change.”
And,
“Travellers should try to go to bed as near as possible to their usual bedtime on their first night after arriving; quick-acting aperient pills can allay constipation until the bowels become accustomed to a new daily routine.”
And be careful with your carry ons:
“The amount of baggage passengers may carry aboard an airline is limited… a nightcase, a handbag, a coat and umbrella, a camera or binoculars, reading matter, baby food and a baby-carrier. There are overhead racks and some planes, catering for hurried executives, have a baggage compartment in the cabin for overnight bags”
It’s actually a fun read, I’ve owned this book for over 30 years and enjoy reading it over and over again. If you see a used copy online, you should considering purchasing it for the nostalgia.
