jrl767

Toshbaf

Incorrect. Sorry! (Don't throw eggs at me if you are surprised at the answer!)

Please try again!

jrl767

Toshbaf

Incorrect. However, in August 1984, it was operated by a L-1011 Tristar. Try again!

Seat 2A

Thanks for your contribution to the questions, Toshbaf. You're off to a great start! ^

4. It is November 1985 and a family member wants to fly on a flight for the experience. To save money, they fly one way and relatives drive them back home. Which airline and aircraft can they fly from San Antonio, Texas (SAT) to Austin Robert Mueller (AUS - since closed and demolished) leaving in the middle of the day?

A couple of airlines come immediately to mind. Might as well start off with one of the obvious choices...

Southwest operating a 737-200

Toshbaf

Reasonable answer but not correct. Try again!

In the 1980's, Herb Keheller reportedly told reporters that Southwest's main competitor was the car. For example, San Antonio to Dallas Love flights competed against people driving. Perhaps, he considered SAT-AUS a losing battle against the car since the two cities are less than 80 miles apart?

Seat 2A

4. It is November 1985 and a family member wants to fly on a flight for the experience. To save money, they fly one way and relatives drive them back home. Which airline and aircraft can they fly from San Antonio, Texas (SAT) to Austin Robert Mueller (AUS - since closed and demolished) leaving in the middle of the day?

Okay then, well post deregulation brought about some airlines flying routes they weren't traditionally associated with. A couple come to mind... let's start with US Air operating a 727-200.

Toshbaf

An excellent answer that is, unfortunately, not right. US Air started service to San Antonio in 1983 around the time it started service to some other Texas cities. There were a number of tag end services. SAT-DFW-PIT and AUS-IAH-PIT, both served by a 737-200. Around 1992, there was a PIT-SAT-AUS flight. In 1985, it was a different airline for this question. Also a clarification. The answer is a mainline carrier using a large jet.

A small hint that probably isn't too helpful. SAT was sort of a tag on, being SAT-AUS-xxx operated once a day and the reverse route being xxx-AUS-SAT. A related hint is about your comment " some airlines flying routes they weren't traditionally associated with.". This airline had a number of tag end routes.

Occasionally, people will fly on these tag ends. I once flew from MLU Monroe, Louisiana - SHV Shreveport and reverse, a distance of about 100 miles each way, maybe on a 737-200. It was in the 1990's. Maybe the aircraft was on a DFW-SHV-MLU routing. In any case, people got off but nobody got on at SHV except me.

jlemon

4. Western flying SLC-SAT-AUS-SLC. I see that Seat 2A has mentioned both the 73S and 72S with his guesses so I'll assume these types weren't operated on this flight. If so, I'll then go with the B737-300.

Seat 2A

4. It is November 1985 and a family member wants to fly on a flight for the experience. To save money, they fly one way and relatives drive them back home. Which airline and aircraft can they fly from San Antonio, Texas (SAT) to Austin Robert Mueller (AUS - since closed and demolished) leaving in the middle of the day?

Well alrighty then - one airline I personally did a few tag ons with was United. Indeed, in 1985 I flew ORD-AUS-CRP amongst many others. Because of that route, I didn't see United also operating SAT-AUS, but the hey - let's go with United operating a 727

WHBM

I'll join the fray with this comment about doing a number of tag end routes, and suggest a Pan Am 727, operating JFK-AUS-SAT.

jrl767

Toshbaf

Great answer! Western flew 737-200S on the route as an evening tag on from SLC so not quite the answer but great info!

Toshbaf

Not quite. TWA did SAT-MSY-JFK for many years with a 727-200.

Toshbaf

Correct! This was the only Pan Am flight each day from San Antonio, Texas

PA 572 SAT-AUS 1115-1143
AUS-JFK 1215-1630
727-200