RonE From Israel, joined Jan 2001, 326 posts, RR: 0 Posted (12 years 4 months 2 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 1677 times:
I am curious to know, from the view point of someone who has never flown with Pan Am and never will, what made this airline so special in the eyes of so many? And also, why did they name just about every one of their planes "Clipper something or other"?
OO-AOG From Switzerland, joined Dec 2000, 1426 posts, RR: 4 Reply 1, posted (12 years 4 months 2 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 1604 times:
Pan American Flew Flyingboats, StratoCruisers, 707s and 747s all around the world, with rich and famous on board. I miss the most experienced airline's Clippers, definatly one of the pioneers of Aviation.
B727-200 From Australia, joined Nov 1999, 1051 posts, RR: 3 Reply 2, posted (12 years 4 months 2 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 1568 times:
As I stated in another post about "best airline ever" (or something like that), the reason Pan Am is so great in the eyes of many is due to the foresight and calculated risk taking they undertook.
In his days as head of Pan Am, Juan Tripp offered Boeing a test bed airline for starting up and developing jet aircraft that revolutionised long-haul and high uplift air travel (such as the B707 and B747).
To some of us older folk around here, Pam Am were to the airline industry what Hoover was to the vacuum cleaner and Kleenex to the facial tissue. The story behind Pan Am and its work with Boeing is fascinating, and if you love the airline industry, is well worth researching.
Fxra From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 683 posts, RR: 2 Reply 3, posted (12 years 4 months 2 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 1555 times:
From some one else who never flew Pan Am or probably won't in the near future (at least never anything like Pan Am 1)... Pan Am was a great innovator led by an visionary leader, Juan Trippe. The Pan Am flying boats flew almost everywhere in the world you would want to go. The route maps from the 30's and 40's were absolutely amazing to me in that Pan Am flew to all those exotic destinations you only read about and see in movies. Juan also led his airline into the Jet Age... being the first to fly the 707 (yeah we know BOAC flew the Comets first..).. Jaun himself being instruemntal in the decision by Boeing to build the airplane. And then again, Pan Am led the world into the age of the jumbo jet, being the first to fly the 747.
And of course the old news photos you see, the celebs always flew Pan Am to the US and abroad for example.. The Beatles). I would love to have been able to non-rev during Pan Ams high period...
Oh well, thats just my take, i'm kinda a history buff.. Its too bad to see some oft he historical greats gone.. like Pan Am, Flying Tiger Line, and the next casualty.. TWA just to name a few.
Sccutler From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 5103 posts, RR: 28 Reply 4, posted (12 years 4 months 2 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 1533 times:
Don't forget that PanAm bought Comets, as well.
They were ultimately delivered and flown by Mexicana, in which line PanAm had an interest until the Mexican compelled its divestiture.
PanAm ordered the Comet to assure tha they'd be flying jets even if Boeing was unable to deliver.
Every scheduled air carrier owes a debt of gratitude to Pan American World Airwsays for the trails they blazed.
...three miles from BRONS, clear for the ILS one five approach...
DIA From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 3273 posts, RR: 30 Reply 6, posted (12 years 4 months 2 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 1507 times:
Seeing a Pan Am jet in Manila, Tokyo, Frankfurt, or wherever you were, it symbolized a safe harbour away from home. It let you know, "Yes, there is an America even though you've never seen it."
The blue globe was seen all over the world. It symbolized America and its strength. Pan Am had been around for just about every generation that's still living. Freedom, dominant, strength, America, and one nice looking livery, before the billboards.
Seeing it go was like seeing a piece of the U.S.A. die with it.
Ding! You are now free to keep supporting Frontier.
P&M From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (12 years 4 months 2 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 1475 times:
Pan Am worked close together with Boeing to convert a huge Freigther into a huge Passenger plane ( B747 ). So they opened the sky to nearly everyone.
I would say that Pan Am was the pioneer of modern air travel.
Sr176 From Switzerland, joined Feb 2001, 408 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (12 years 4 months 2 weeks ago) and read 1437 times:
Pan Am was a symbol, a symbol for a worldwide network. Nowadays this is nothing special anymore, but at that time.
But their success was also the beginning of the end. The order of 25 747s delivered in the early 70ies, was to much. They were flying half empty around the globe and this was the beginning of the end. I regret that the name has gone.
Redraider From United States of America, joined Oct 2000, 531 posts, RR: 2 Reply 15, posted (12 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 1405 times:
Unfortunately, I think PA's arrogance got the best of them and as a result, they are no longer here today. As the unofficial flag carrier of the US, they flew virtually everywhere. However, they had NO domestic feed until they acquired the old National after a pissing constest with Frank Lorenzo and Texas International. Pan Am and National virtual polar opposites as far as company culture goes, and that was one of the many, many factors that hurt PA. Also, they continued to fly unprofitable routes until the end. PA had big, old planes and suspect service and even after National had a weak domestic network. Thus they were devoured by leaner, hungrier, stronger competition between United, American, and Delta.
Fortunately for some, PA's reputation shines much brighter than its reality.
My wife can't wrestle, but you should see her box.
GKirk From UK - Scotland, joined Jun 2000, 24627 posts, RR: 58 Reply 16, posted (12 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 1393 times:
A simple reason, they were the first operators of the 707 and 747 I believe. I believe there service was great and they were one of the most customer-friendly airlines ever.
When you hear the noise of the Tartan Army Boys, we'll be coming down the road!
Hugo From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 393 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (12 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 1366 times:
Pan Am was the airline that revolutionized air travel. The way we travel by air today is largely because of Pan Am's pioneering efforts. Pan Am was responsible for so many firsts, among them was the creating the foundation of modern mass international travel, the 747. It was also the first airline to cross the Pacific... For those of you who would like to more, I suggest you watch a documentary on the airline, Death of an American Dream and read the beautifully illustrated book by Barnaby Conrad, Pan Am: An Aviation Legend. A small bit of Pan Am's history can also be seen by visiting my website: www.pittman.com/hugo
Ryanair From United Kingdom, joined Jul 1999, 654 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (12 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 1343 times:
The Clipper business comes from the flying boat connection in the 1920-30's, these were the new "Clipper Ships" which flew where the origional Clipper Ships had sailed and revolutionised the world.
The story goes, Juan Trippe was an enthusiast of Clipper Ships and wanted his airline to be their modern equivilant.
QantasA3XX From Singapore, joined Dec 2000, 218 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (12 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 1323 times:
They are special to my heart .. after reading their history ... i was born during the time they were doing so well .. its so sad that they are gone .. the good old Pan Am I .. at least Pan Am III is doing ok .. with their B727s
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