I flew Eastern quite frequently during the late 70s and early 80s from BOS to TPA. I do remember enjoying the dedicated Eastern terminal at BOS (Now the DL terminal...) and sitting in the back of the plane in the smoking section with my grandmother.

To this day, the only emergency landing I've ever experienced was on a 727 (?) where the lav basically exploded, and we had to land in PHL to wait for another plane.

My mother, being a consummate business traveller and early adopter miles junkie, made sure that I had an account and accrued miles whenever possible.