The Wanderfool review of flying in the golden era only tells half the story. We covered the scene inside the plane but what about the early airports from those days. Perhaps the greatest delta between air travel then and now is the experience on the ground.
We are all aware that everything changed after 2001. If you are under thirty, it’s all you’ve ever known. While the protocols established twenty plus years go have become habit for us, try to imagine what the prior generations would have thought relative to their airport visits.
Let’s rock around the clock all the way back to the glory years of air travel. In the 50s and 60s, the process could not have been simpler (assuming you could afford the ticket). Speaking of tickets, you had the option to just show up and buy one on the spot. No navigating through questionable online travel sites. Planes were not full and you could be as spontaneous as you wanted. Driver, pull over at the airport; I just read that Sinatra is playing the Sands Casino tonight.
Little known fact: You can still purchase tickets at the airport and even save a few bucks on online fees, especially for the low cost carriers. Some savvy travelers will buy them up in advance for future flights. That’s a pro move. I’ve booked flights the day of but I don’t know anyone who just shows up at the terminal aiming to score a ticket. They did in the old days. I dare ya to try that for your next trip without peaking at an app.
Back to the glory years. You show up at the airport all dapper. Buy your ticket. Load up on smokes and a newspaper. Then what?
Luggage in the Early Airports
You drop your bags. Any number of them. No worries, no fuss. And who knows what’s in those Samsonites. No one cares. Load em up.
early airport experiences
Security in the Early Airports
Off to security right? Nope. There is no such thing. You don’t even need an ID. Just don’t lose that paper ticket. Go right to the gate. Bring your loved ones. Everyone is welcome.
Evolution of Airport Security
2001:
We are all accustomed to the airport security impacts of 9-11. Back in the day a gentlemen would never remove his blue suede shoes and a lady certainly wouldn’t remove her sweater. X Rays and scans were for Flash Gordon. And a full body cavity search was unheard of. Even late night in Vegas.
1974:
Prior to 9-11, the security measures had basically remained consistent back to 1974. That’s when the FAA started requiring screenings and x-rays to detect metal. Increased hijackings in the late 60s and early 70s led to these measures.
Before ’74 it was pretty much the same security that the Wright brothers faced.
Interestingly, the precedent for terrorist attacks on planes in the U.S. dates all the way back to 1955, despite two decades of open access thereafter. Seems a young man named Jack Graham was at odds with his mother and decided to knock her off for insurance money. He figured that blowing up her plane was the most logical method. Copying another incident in Canada, he snuck a bomb built with dynamite into her suitcase. It worked and the plane disintegrated over Colorado, killing all 44 on board.
What they lacked in security, they made up for in swift justice back then. The arrest, trial, and execution of Mr. Graham was carried out within 14 months of the bombing.
what were early airports like?
Amenities in the Early Airports
The fascinating thing about the story above is the bomber, that master criminal, bought the life insurance policy right in the airport when seeing his mom off. Indeed you could do that. Take out a policy against your loved ones at the airport kiosk. Have a safe flight honey. I’ll just be over here taking out a life policy on you. Savage.
If an airport was selling life insurance, you darn well know they were selling flowers. So that had to be pressure when a fella went to meet his sweetie at the gate. All the other gents greeting their ladies with a bouquet. Don’t you dare be empty handed.
As for the ladies meeting their man, that was much simpler. Just give him a big hug… and discreetly toss away that life policy receipt like it’s a dud lotto ticket.
Beyond insurance and flowers, the early airports offered an experience for the community in addition to travelers. They were a destination unto themselves. Some people would hang out just to watch the planes land. There were birthday parties and events. You couldn’t find a Sbarro or Auntie Anne’s, but many airports had white table cloth, high end restaurants. They were targeted more towards the general public than passengers. The airport was like the modern entertainment district in your town.
Flying in the old days
The scene at the terminal has evolved over the years to where it’s pretty much all business now. Save the fun for when you land. The modern airport is about safety above all else and that’s not likely to change. Sure you can also grab a bite and find a bathroom. Do a little shopping and a lot of people watching. Beyond that, we want to spend as little time there as possible.
The early airports were fascinating and it would have been a blast to travel back then. Granted it seems like living on the edge between the absence of security and the primitive aircraft. But hey, that’s what life insurance is for. No doubt your loved ones would’ve had that covered before they hugged you goodbye at the gate.
