Aug 2, 2015, 9:45 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
C. R. Smith Museum
American Airlines history, 1940 DC-3 "Flagship Knoxville" NC-21798
American Airlines history, 1940 DC-3 "Flagship Knoxville" NC-21798
American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum
4601 Texas Highway 360
Fort Worth, Texas 76155
817-967-1560
Website: http://crsmithmuseum.org
Online store: http://store.crsmithmuseum.org/store/
Hours: The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays. See site for exceptions (summer Sundays)
Guides: most are volunteers, retired AA employees.
Tickets: Museum Members: No Charge
Adult – $7;
Senior Citizens 65+, Military, Students (with ID), Children 2-17: $4:, Infants: No Charge
The C.R. Smith Museum takes visitors on a flight through American Airlines history, with interactive exhibits that entice participation by all age groups. The museum features hundreds of historical artifacts, photographs, full-scale aircraft engines and a rare Douglas DC-3 airliner. In addition, the museum’s state of the art 4K digital theater features Pursuit of Flight, a film, featuring the history and physics of aviation from ancient times through today.(Some memorabilia from TW, US, HP as well.)
Flyable AA Douglas DC-3 NC-21798 "Flagship Knoxville" - c/n 2202, built NOV 1940
More photos: link to Airways Magazine photos of C. R. Smith Museum
Link to Brendan Healey's photos of museum
Getting there:
From DFW airport: taxi (three miles, $19.50 each way due to taxi minima)
Über.
Unofficial: look for crew bus area, take AA Training and Conference Center / Flight Academy shuttle bus (half-hourly) and get dropped off at Museum. N. B. Transport is space available only (employees on business have priority).
These are directions for free van transport to the American Airlines Training and Conference Center, which I think is right on the same plot (and same side of the highway, I think.)
And generic driving instructions (but not to the Museum specifically-- to AATCC):
"From D/FW Airport:
Take the South exit out of DFW. Take the Highway 360 South Arlington exit, which bears to the right. Exit 1/4 mile onto the access road to FAA Road. Continue to the three-way stop sign. Go straight through intersection. "
Address of the Smith Museum:
4601 Texas Highway 360 at FAA Road
Fort Worth, Texas
And generic driving instructions (but not to the Museum specifically-- to AATCC):
"From D/FW Airport:
Take the South exit out of DFW. Take the Highway 360 South Arlington exit, which bears to the right. Exit 1/4 mile onto the access road to FAA Road. Continue to the three-way stop sign. Go straight through intersection. "
Address of the Smith Museum:
4601 Texas Highway 360 at FAA Road
Fort Worth, Texas
I'll be having a 6 hour stopover at DFW and I really want to go to the museum, but I'm a cheap student not willing to spend more than a couple of bucks to go there so I made some googling and what I could get was:
1.- You take the shuttle from your terminal to the South Remote Parking Lot. (I believe it's free, and every 15min)
2.- You take the shuttle from the South Remote Parking Lot to the "Centreport/DFW" TRE Station. (I believe it's free, and every 15 min)
3.- You take the "T 30 Centreport Circulator" which costs $1.50 o/w from the Centerport/DFW TRE Station to the AA Flight Academy. The catch: It's only Monday through Friday, 1 bus every 45 minutes and it just works during commuting time (6:00 to 8:00 and 15:00 to 18:00)...
1.- You take the shuttle from your terminal to the South Remote Parking Lot. (I believe it's free, and every 15min)
2.- You take the shuttle from the South Remote Parking Lot to the "Centreport/DFW" TRE Station. (I believe it's free, and every 15 min)
3.- You take the "T 30 Centreport Circulator" which costs $1.50 o/w from the Centerport/DFW TRE Station to the AA Flight Academy. The catch: It's only Monday through Friday, 1 bus every 45 minutes and it just works during commuting time (6:00 to 8:00 and 15:00 to 18:00)...
Update: 2 Aug 2015 JDiver
DFW and the AA / C. R. Smith Museum in Dallas (consolidated)
Aug 14, 2008, 11:41 pm
#91
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,275
I did not want to chance being refused entry on the bus back to the airport because they wouldn't let me get on at the airport. I hired a cab and asked the driver to meet me again in an hour. The cabbie then went to lunch. He later said that if he knew it was free, he would have gone to the museum instead of eating a greasy taco.
Aug 15, 2008, 3:47 am
#93
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Duluth, GA
Programs: AAdvantage PLT, AA 2MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,268
Aug 15, 2008, 8:09 am
#95
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
JDiver doesn't live here. 
I have used (semi-shhh!) the crew bus from the AA terminals to the AA Academy right next to the museum, as long as there is plenty of space on the shuttle, and back as well. But, yep, it is a pricey cab ride if it's full or they decide we might get too litigious or whatever and refuse us "geese."
American Airlines
C.R. Smith Museum
817-967-1560
WEBSITE
LOCATION
Physical & Shipping Address:
American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum
4601 Texas Highway 360 at FAA Road
MUSEUM HOURS
Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Closed Sunday and Monday
Holiday Hours
MUSEUM GIFT SHOP
Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
MUSEUM ADMISSION
Museum Members: Free
Non-members:
Adult: $4
Senior Citizens Age 55+: $2
Students (with ID): $2
Children 2-12: $2
Children Under 2: Free
Organized Group Rate
$1 per person (10 or more)
"The museum is a non-profit organization publicly funded by the generous gifts of corporate partners, AMR employees, AMR retirees and museum friends. The museum is operated by the C.R. Smith Aviation Museum Foundation and emphasizes learning through hands-on displays."
I think the admission is a bargain. They run a retrospective of AA in the theatre periodically, the DC-3 ("Flagship Knoxville," but no Flagship Suites here!) is amazingly and beautifully restored (and an abject lesson in "How AA used to be") and they have some nice displays of things old Americana, from uniforms to engines, simulators, instruments, etc. There's a gift shop as well.
I'm a sucker for spending a two dollar bill here - my bum became flat from riding AA (and my family's) DC-3s when MEX-MTY-SAT took the entire day, and one or two of the volunteers go back to those days.
I do not know if there is anything remotely resembling public transit to get there, and it is not near a car rental facility so you could Hertz rental shuttle or the like, but perhaps one of our more informed DFW (or Euless or Hurst?) folks knows better.
I have used (semi-shhh!) the crew bus from the AA terminals to the AA Academy right next to the museum, as long as there is plenty of space on the shuttle, and back as well. But, yep, it is a pricey cab ride if it's full or they decide we might get too litigious or whatever and refuse us "geese."
American Airlines
C.R. Smith Museum
817-967-1560
WEBSITE
LOCATION
Physical & Shipping Address:
American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum
4601 Texas Highway 360 at FAA Road
MUSEUM HOURS
Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Closed Sunday and Monday
Holiday Hours
MUSEUM GIFT SHOP
Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
MUSEUM ADMISSION
Museum Members: Free
Non-members:
Adult: $4
Senior Citizens Age 55+: $2
Students (with ID): $2
Children 2-12: $2
Children Under 2: Free
Organized Group Rate
$1 per person (10 or more)
"The museum is a non-profit organization publicly funded by the generous gifts of corporate partners, AMR employees, AMR retirees and museum friends. The museum is operated by the C.R. Smith Aviation Museum Foundation and emphasizes learning through hands-on displays."
I think the admission is a bargain. They run a retrospective of AA in the theatre periodically, the DC-3 ("Flagship Knoxville," but no Flagship Suites here!) is amazingly and beautifully restored (and an abject lesson in "How AA used to be") and they have some nice displays of things old Americana, from uniforms to engines, simulators, instruments, etc. There's a gift shop as well.
I'm a sucker for spending a two dollar bill here - my bum became flat from riding AA (and my family's) DC-3s when MEX-MTY-SAT took the entire day, and one or two of the volunteers go back to those days.
I do not know if there is anything remotely resembling public transit to get there, and it is not near a car rental facility so you could Hertz rental shuttle or the like, but perhaps one of our more informed DFW (or Euless or Hurst?) folks knows better.
Originally Posted by 777GalE
I'm, actually, surprised JDiver isn't on this. He has all the information. And, quite knowledgeable re: the Museum. <snip>
Aug 15, 2008, 8:26 am
#96
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 459
I went there last year and was in DFW specifically for this! (and the JFK museum) and think it is really good for the price.
They have many exhibits (including a pair fo F Class seats (similar to the coffins, but I think maybe slightly different).
Also there is a shop there with many interesting stuff. Unfortunately some things such as the Sabre gudie if for staff only!
They have many exhibits (including a pair fo F Class seats (similar to the coffins, but I think maybe slightly different).
Also there is a shop there with many interesting stuff. Unfortunately some things such as the Sabre gudie if for staff only!
Aug 15, 2008, 9:06 am
#97
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: NYC-BNA
Programs: Lifetime Plat/4mm miles, Starwood, HiltonHonors
Posts: 657
Smith's whiskey
The lite version is marveling at C. R. Smith's whiskey collection at the LGA AC. http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Fr...739,59,00.html
Aug 15, 2008, 9:31 am
#98
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,316
Recommended only for the very motivated on a cool Fall or Spring Day.
Aug 15, 2008, 9:36 am
#99
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Texas
Programs: American Airlines British Airways
Posts: 1,752
Quote from JDiver says:
I do not know if there is anything remotely resembling public transit to get there, and it is not near a car rental facility so you could Hertz rental shuttle or the like, but perhaps one of our more informed DFW (or Euless or Hurst?) folks knows better.
To which a native Texan responds:
Son, this is Texas. Public transit? We don't need any stinkin public transit. However, you could ride your horse there and back without much trouble. Except for crossing HWY 183 I suppose. I think you are stuck with a cab or sneaking on a shuttle, which I had not thought of.
I do not know if there is anything remotely resembling public transit to get there, and it is not near a car rental facility so you could Hertz rental shuttle or the like, but perhaps one of our more informed DFW (or Euless or Hurst?) folks knows better.
To which a native Texan responds:
Son, this is Texas. Public transit? We don't need any stinkin public transit. However, you could ride your horse there and back without much trouble. Except for crossing HWY 183 I suppose. I think you are stuck with a cab or sneaking on a shuttle, which I had not thought of.
Aug 15, 2008, 10:32 am
#101
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
ROTFLMAO! I shoulda thought about that when the shuttle was sidelined by the herd of longhorns as we were approaching... the Texas Republic don't need no steenkeen' busses.
But I could live with dayone's solution if it's under 90 F and my boots ain't feelin' too tight; ¡gracias!, amigo.
But I could live with dayone's solution if it's under 90 F and my boots ain't feelin' too tight; ¡gracias!, amigo.
Quote from JDiver says:
I do not know if there is anything remotely resembling public transit to get there, and it is not near a car rental facility so you could Hertz rental shuttle or the like, but perhaps one of our more informed DFW (or Euless or Hurst?) folks knows better.
To which a native Texan responds:
Son, this is Texas. Public transit? We don't need any stinkin public transit. However, you could ride your horse there and back without much trouble. Except for crossing HWY 183 I suppose. I think you are stuck with a cab or sneaking on a shuttle, which I had not thought of.
I do not know if there is anything remotely resembling public transit to get there, and it is not near a car rental facility so you could Hertz rental shuttle or the like, but perhaps one of our more informed DFW (or Euless or Hurst?) folks knows better.
To which a native Texan responds:
Son, this is Texas. Public transit? We don't need any stinkin public transit. However, you could ride your horse there and back without much trouble. Except for crossing HWY 183 I suppose. I think you are stuck with a cab or sneaking on a shuttle, which I had not thought of.
Aug 15, 2008, 11:18 am
#102
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: JFK
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 458
Visited the museum today, and it was a good time. Spent about 45 minutes looking at the exhibits and going through the gift shop 
I am not the best photographer, but took a few shots if anyone is interested:
http://picasaweb.google.com/flyskyte...AirlinesMuseum
Enjoy!
-FlySkyTeam
I am not the best photographer, but took a few shots if anyone is interested:
http://picasaweb.google.com/flyskyte...AirlinesMuseum
Enjoy!
-FlySkyTeam
Aug 15, 2008, 11:36 am
#103
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: St. Croix, USVI
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum & Million Miler. Hilton Diamond
Posts: 915
If its $20 there and $20 back you may be able to priceline a rental car for less than the cab fare. This would be one of the most ridiculous rental car uses ever though (total trip, 2 miles maybe??).
I've had good luck with priceline rental cars to the point where it is often the case in my travels that its cheaper to rent a car than take a cab from the airport. Cabs have gotten ridiculous in many cities.
Sean
I've had good luck with priceline rental cars to the point where it is often the case in my travels that its cheaper to rent a car than take a cab from the airport. Cabs have gotten ridiculous in many cities.
Sean
Aug 15, 2008, 12:31 pm
#105
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP 1.5MM, Asiana Club Silver, KE Morning Calm, Hyatt Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 7,161
If AA is scrapped for cash, they should move this museum within the DFW airport compounds or at least in a location that can be accessible with the Skylink like the Grand Hyatt. It'd be a great way to earn extra revenue from bored passengers who have long layovers.