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Dec 29, 2017 | 1:38 pm

#12181

jlemon

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Seat 2A

12. Continental was granted CAB authority to directly serve Seattle and Portland in 1966. CO then began operating nonstop flights between one U.S. city and SEA and PDX with direct flights also operated via this city to other destinations in its route network. Identify the only U.S. city that had nonstop Continental service to Portland and Seattle at this time.

Ah, it was not Oklahoma City (OKC). However, you are getting closer. And the previous hint mentioned twice above is the word "Boeing".

Alright then - now inundated with clues, I think being close to OKC with an emphasis on Boeing, we're talking about Wichita - strange as that sounds, even were the flight to operate today. Assuming Wichita is correct, do you have any idea behind why this route was granted? Was it a Boeing executive and parts shuttle or some such?

12. Wichita (ICT) is correct! And with regard to why the CAB decided that nonstop SEA-ICT and PDX-ICT service was a good idea, I really have no idea....unless one takes into account the presence of Boeing in Wichita and, of course, in the Seattle area. Perhaps the following conversation took place between a couple of Boeing executives and CAB officials in D.C......"Say, Fred, you know we still have a big footprint in Wichita and do you know what might be nice to have?" Conjecture on my part, to be sure.

Here's what Continental stated in a print ad concerning the new routes and services:

Continental opens its "NW/SE territories"

"A recent route award has made it possible for us to add the states of Washington, Oregon and Louisiana to the Continental States of America. This means the present number of states in our country stands at twelve, instead of the previous nine.....and we are very excited about that. But the real story is even bigger. For the first time, the Pacific Northwest and the Gulf Coast have a direct jet connection.....no more plane changes. Continental Airlines now provides service between Seattle/Tacoma, Portland, Wichita, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Houston and New Orleans."

The CO print ad was accompanied by a route map. It appears new direct routes included SEA-ICT-OKC-MSY, SEA-ICT-TUL-HOU and SEA-PDX-ICT-HOU. Continental had previously served SEA and PDX via interchange flights. And the CO statement concerning "for the first time.... a direct jet connection" between SEA/PDX and the Gulf Coast wasn't completely true as Braniff and United were operating interchange service in 1966 with Boeing 720 equipment HOU-DAL-DEN-SEA and HOU-DAL-DEN-PDX-SEA.

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