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Old May 10, 2008, 9:06 am
  #57  
DukeBBFan
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NC
Programs: AA LT. GLD, DL, US
Posts: 48
Originally Posted by TMOliver
Time alters many practices....

There used to be a fare class, "Military Standby", about 1/2 the cheapest available economy, much used by active duty travelers on leave and reservists, usually officers traveling to and from training duty, on a reimbursement basis (X cents per mile) rather than government purchased tickets.

The secret to success was to travel in "Service Dress" uniform, nattily turned out in full fig rig with ribbons, etc. (Back then, few boasted of more than a row of decorations, with Vietnam and the decades since introducing previously unheard of awards and citations).

Routinely, the "Stewardesses" and GAs of that long forgotten era would fill seats at the front of the bus with those who at least appeared to exhibit First Class qualities, although then as now, sharp uniforms could conceal all sorts of blunt, dumb objects.
I used to use this fare on the Eastern Shuttle from DC to Newark. The fare was $9 each way. The times they have changed.
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