I think that the 1981 date for AA is correct. Going back much before the programs came into effect would be a bit of a stretch for me, but I can discuss the mid-eighties range.

I started flying in earnest in the mid to late eighties. The programs were pretty basic at first, with just straight miles and no real stratification as to elite status. The few first class gigs that I could swing back then were the result of offering to be bumped.

This happened a couple of times on AA, and it seems that the gate agents had a number of seats to give out at their discretion to those persons who were nice at the gate. Being a slender (sniffle, sniffle) young buck who was dreadfully outgoing and volunteered to be bumped, etc., I was upgraded a number of times. Wearing a full suit helped a great deal, too.

It seems that the rapid proliferation and expansion of the FF programs starting in the late eighties pretty well ended some of the gate agent's discretion with regard to upgrading (although they sure as heck still have some). This is a good thing for us higher level elite fliers, in that we now get the FC based upon number of miles, etc.

It is also a good thing because I am a plodding, harried old businessman with three kids, a wife and a barking dog to annoy me. Hence, playing cute blond puppy is no longer effective. Ah, but if only I could get back to the 150 pound stage. Sniffle, sniffle.

My wife travelled internationally extensively as a child (all on her father's employer, an oil company).. All the photos on Pan Am First Class show very few or no other passengers. She also remembers that one of the early perks of being a travel agent in business dress was the possibilty of upgrades; this is certainly no longer true!

United had a "program" in the pre-FF days where you got a wall plaque, and when you flew to or through different cities, they would send you a metal strip with that cities name engraved. When you flew to (thru) a city either 5 or 10 times, or more, you got a silver, and then a gold metal strip. As was said before, when the FF programs began, you started off with 0 miles, even though you had city strips up the gazoo! So be it.

As they say, rules is rules.


DD

Anybody remember DL's "Flying Colonel" program? Back when I worked for them (1978-82) they offered this distinction to certain customers but, frankly, I cannot recall what criteria was used for the selection process nor can I remember the benefits of that status. With the advent of their Delta Frequent Flyer Program (later became SkyMiles) I presume the "Flying Colonel" program ended. Anyone know for sure?

My friend got Flying Colonel as late as the early 1990's, so it definitely didn't end with the introducing of Delta Frequent Flyer. He apparently was nominated by a Delta official, and was presented with his plaque and white membership card at his office by a Delta official. His photo was also taken and hung in the Tampa CRC (along will all Tampa based FC's and MM's), but I believe that they have all disappeared. Although now discontinued, his benefits were "lifetime" CRC membership, stationary, and a VIP phone number. again, all discontinued, although "FC" still appears on boarding passes, tickets, and manifests. The Flying Colonel program might have held more water before Delta Frequent Flyer, but the phone number and CRC was all that it was when my friend got it. Now it means nothing.

By the way, I believe this is the 20th Anniversary of a Delta FF program (first Delta Frequent Flyer, now SkyMiles).

In the mid to late-seventies, Eastern Airlines, which had for some years been keeping informal track of its best customers, very quietly instituted a level known as "Executive Traveler" for these customers. This came with a brown suede ticket holder and a brown card on which your membership number was stamped (it was really your phone number).
The Executive Traveler never sat in coach when there was a first-class seat available (on a standby basis) and always got some sort of seat even if the flights were completely sold out. I have vivid memories of being personally escorted through crowds of people trying to get on to flights at various airports when there were extensive weather or other delays and cancellations. Even after the institution of the formal Frequent Traveler program in the early 80's, The ET designation survived until Eastern's demise in 89.
To this day, if you hear a CO agent refer to an Elite flyer as an ET, you know that this is a former Eastern employee who had been absorbed into Continental at the Lorenzo takeover.

I, too, began flying regularly about 1983. The programs were established, although still fairly new. What seems astounding now looking back to the early days of the ff programs is how generous the awards were. On Northwest, you turned in coupons for each flight... one for coach and two for first. When you finished the book of 20 coupons you got an award certificate. That certificate entitled you to one free domestic coach flight, or you could save it and combine certificates for first class or international travel. It was, in effect, a "segment" system. How about that! Additional "perks" came with the certificate as well, including, as I recall, two or three nights at such hotels as Mandarin Oriental. Early on I had enough of these hotel awards and airline certificates for two of us to go to Hong Kong business class and stay a week at the Mandarin Oriental. Both the airline and hotel awards added up fast. Of course, that's why they couldn't stay so generous. You also got a week car rental, and some other partner rewards.
On many flights, first class was not a huge additional outlay. I remember "upgrading" some flights for as little as $20 ow.

Coach back then was much better than coach is today and First class today is much better than First was back then.

Tango, I agree with your statements about coach being better back then and first class being better today, however, there is one exception: Pan Am. I would take Pan Am's first class flights between SFO or LAX and JFK over all carriers currently providing premium trans-con service, even Delta's Businesselite.

True, seats did not fully recline and no laptop outlets or state of the art entertainment systems back then, but upstairs on Pan Am's 747s was a spacious first class lounge. For meals, tables were reconfigured to dining tables where four people sat across each other. Carts were rolled down the aisle and roast beef was carved to your liking - well, medium and rare. Not a meat eater, how about lobster?

Caviar and dom perignon were served. Today, I believe United is the only U.S. carrier that serves dom, but only on international flights. For desert, a real whole chocolate cake cut and served from the cart. Oh, yes, you also received a first class amenity kit. Those were the days...

[This message has been edited by TangoIsAnIdiot (edited 03-08-2001).]

???

Over here in Europe I was nominated to the BA Executive Club in 1978. This stayed good until the new arrangements for which we used to pay was launched. The same applied over at British Caledonian. The tiered level started much more recently, and BCAL (best 1st class I've ever flown - vintage Krug, and the FA changed into a long tartan dress to serve!) never really had them except for premium flyers which used to be identified by the Commercial Department as I recall. I remember the inception of "Business Class" and I thin, FTraveller that it was KLM who offered this area to Full Fare Flyers as they were known. As far as on board was concerned US carriers were wonderful in the 70s, TWA used to be wonderful on the North Atlantic. In those days all drinks and headsets in Economy had to be paid for. I still have my Flying Colonel plaque at home, thanks for letting me know what became of the scheme. Yes, Delta Sales division in London nominated me. Yes, they were wonderful times I am glad that I experienced them, but I still enjoy things now....plus ca change..

Paul

(Pushing travel-related threads ahead).

Ms. Fishbait here:

OMG, I remember Eastern Airlines!! Mr. Fishbait and I were newly engaged on opposite coasts and commuted often (on those cheap, cheap fares) and it seems we were always upgraded.. For what reason, I have no idea: we were only 20 yrs old, dressed in jeans, but perhaps polite (or they knew our flight record??)?? On the flight I took to make my wedding arrangements, I was chatting with the FA and she slipped me 3 bottles of champagne to take off the plane with me (I don't think I was even of legal age in some states!)

And FC on Pan Am was a delectable experience! Only 7,8 yrs old, treated like a queen! I remember the upstairs lounge and bar... An experience I am reminded of when I see the ads for Virgin's Upper Class.. Those were the days of FC travel!

I remember those PanAm flights and they were excellent, but MGM Grand was the best way to fly transcon, although you had to forego FF miles.