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Author
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Topic: DC3 baby needs stories of TWAers
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Ruth Richter
Junior Poster
Member # 2125
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posted
Paul E. Richter was my father. He flew West in 1949. I am finally researching his papers and pictures of the 1920s-1940s; "the 13 Black Cats", Standard Airlines, Transcontinental & Western Air, WWII, TWA and the beginning of international.
I would love to have stories of the old days, early TWAers.
What incredible guys they were and their story should be told.
Please help.
Posts: 5 | From: San Luis Obispo,Ca
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extwacaptain
Prop Wash
Member # 381
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posted
Ms. Richter,
Sorry for the delay in responding.
There are probably only a few people aware of the fact that without the combined efforts of your father AND Jack Frye there probably would never have been a TWA.
Robert Serling's "HOWARD HUGHES'AIRLINE" is a wonderful coverage of the years during which your Dad contributed so greatly.
Thank you for having such a great man for a father.
Respectfully,
Randy Kramer
Posts: 892 | From: Encino, Ca. U.S.A.
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Ruth Richter
Junior Poster
Member # 2125
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posted
Dear Capt.Randy,
What a real treat to have your reply!!!
The last 2 tears of research have been a childhood nostalgia trip for me. My daughter Susan and I have been so absorbed with "early bird" stories of my Dad and others for family and to share. I realize that TWA was my family, literally and figuratively. I was surrounded by the warm, witty, and adventurous. my "uncles of aviation"; Jack Frye, Tommy Tomlinson, Walt Hamilton, Bob Six, Lee Flanagin, Jimmy Doolittle, Fred Betz, etc. were my heros. My Dads' early death in '49 has left many stories untold and left me with a passion to know more than the fantasies of a 14 year old.
Have you written your story? I pray you have or will. You are so loved by so many. I'd love to "pick your brain".
I prize my heritage and feel so honored to be part of your family. To me, your "faternity of flyers" is the most precious and prestigious of the century. Blessings to you all.
Ruth
Posts: 5 | From: San Luis Obispo,Ca
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extwacaptain
Prop Wash
Member # 381
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posted
Ms. Richter, It is doubtful that many who post on this board would be interested in my "War Stories" or early days with TWA. However, there have been many recollections from the past by our pilots on another message board. Possibly if I embellish slightly, there will be some who will join in and tell us all some REALLY GREAT STUFF which was left out of the recent movie: AVIATOR.
WW 11 was winding down in Europe and expanding in the Pacific. The year was 1945 and MRS. Kramer's youngest son had recently completed a tour of duty with the 15th Air Force. Not being too bright he thought it appropriate to apply for another tour of duty and allow the Japanese to shoot at him a little bit. Well, Momma found out about this and made a call to Mr. Jack Frye. After she finished telling that man about my great flying skills (Momma sometimes exaggerated about her little boy) Mr. Frye told her: "If he's that good send him in for an interview."
Five days later found me in a classroom at Washington National Airport, the Headquarters of our Military contract operation.
Certainly there were many other pilots around, far more qualified than I, however many had not been released from the military in early July, '45. This, combined with the fact that TWA's policy at the time was to ONLY hire those who had been on active duty with the military service, was greatly appreciated by those who were in the military service and certainly created a strong loyalty and respect for OUR Airline and our management.
Those sixty years (this July) have passed rather rapidly. My appreciation to those who made my career possible will never be forgotten and if ol' TWA were still around, my wife, Sally would still be buying me a new tailored uniform every two years and seeing me off to LAX six or seven days a week.
Man, was I a LUCKY GUY (Forty of those sixty years I even got to smoke my cigar)! ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Randy Kramer
Posts: 892 | From: Encino, Ca. U.S.A.
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zing
Post Captain
Member # 1024
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posted
CA Randy,
More stories of your early days at TWA, please...
Posts: 259 | From: mid-atlantic
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Steverino
Post Captain
Member # 702
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posted
I second the motion!
Capt. Kramer,
My father flew in WWII, as well (P-47, 366th/358th), http://creativefatcat.com/lobdell/Farlow.html . He's 83 and alive but has lost everything to Alzheimer's Disease. In his prime, he was like EF Hutton - everyone just stopped what they were doing to hear what he would say - except it was never about his war or other Air Force experiences.
You are the EF Hutton of this board, Capt. Kramer, and I'm sure we'd all like to hear what you have to say.
-Steve Farlow
Posts: 59 | From: STL
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Steverino
Post Captain
Member # 702
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posted
Capt. Kramer,
I sent one back to you. I think it worked but let me know if you didn't receive it as my browser failed as I was sending it.
-Steve
Posts: 59 | From: STL
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Jeff I.
Post Captain
Member # 2334
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posted
Captain EF Hutton (aka, Captain Randy) -
All this suspense with PM's is killing us! You need to get that "Captain Kramer Tells All" book out ... PRONTO!
Jeff I.
Posts: 482 | From: New York
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smilinjack
The Big Boss
Member # 7
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posted
Capt. Randy...
We at Smilin' Jack's are always interested in what you have to say....
jack
Posts: 725 | From: Rancho Mirage, Ca.
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extwacaptain
Prop Wash
Member # 381
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posted
Thank you, Captn' Jack,
You have ALWAYS made me feel welcome and I appreciate that very much.
Randy
Posts: 892 | From: Encino, Ca. U.S.A.
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donuway
Post Captain
Member # 803
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posted
Captain Randy,
I just had to figure out how to Log back in and respond to something you said in a previous post.
When you stated that many more qualified pilots were around when you were hired,,,,,,,,I think the hiring team at TWA in '45 must have been a little ahead of their time. One of the most successfull airlines of our time, Southwest, has, or at least had a policy to hire those with the best people skills, no matter what the job. If this was the case, TWA did a good job.
My wife and I were able to muster up the time with the long Holiday weekend to go to a movie. Guess which one I picked? The ending was strange, I guess to depict Mr. Hughes strange life. I was a little lost in the time frame, but it looked as though the ending of the movie depicted the beginning of TWAs glory days.
I can't help but believe that one of the things that brought TWA to its level of recognition after WWII, was the dedication to the customer shown by the likes of you and your fellow employees. It seems that most of you were very happy with your jobs, and got along fairly well with management. In turn, you built a very loyal customer base.
In our Post Dispatch, there was an article a couple of weeks ago about the "Aviator" movie and Howard Hughes. When they asked one of the women in his life which company he was most fond of, it was easy for her to say, "TWA". In the same paper, an article in the business section stated that the recent cuts in air fares may signal the end of the airline industry as it once was.
I think that happened 4 years ago.
Don
Posts: 414 | From: St. Louis, Mo
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IanW
twa
Member # 2186
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posted
Our airline is full of wonderful people who contributed to the airline industry. When I read the various histories of TWA and of the individuals that made us a very importantnt part of the history of civil aviation I am proud of what we were and what we are today. Those of us who are still working at airports around the world still bring the values we learnt way back then to todays industry.... The TWA we knew and loved is gone, and will never fly again... Don't be sad... be proud that you had the privilege to be a part of our airline.
Posts: 39 | From: Frankfurt Germany
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extwacaptain
Prop Wash
Member # 381
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posted
quote:
Originally posted by Ruth Richter:
I would love to have stories of the old days, early TWAers.
What incredible guys they were and their story should be told.
Please help.
Ms. Richter
Sorry that your request for stories of TWA's past has not received a greater response.
One of our most loyal passengers, Mr. Nick Boyd, has a wonderful website that I think would be of great interest to you. He and another of TWA's finest passengers, Mr. Marky, have collaborated on this, and their results are quite wonderful.
http://www.nknet.com/twa/
Quite often, the stories our passengers tell are the greatest of all.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Respectfully,
Randy Kramer
Posts: 892 | From: Encino, Ca. U.S.A.
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Charles Wilder
Junior Poster
Member # 2612
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posted
It would be interesting to hear stories from Joe (Jose) Grant. He recently turned 97 and is alive and well. His mind makes me ( and others) envious, it is so good. He lives in Connecticut and still works full time in his jewelry store. I'm not sure he reads message boards, but if you could contact him, I am certain that you would get some great stories of the 30's.
Posts: 3 | From: Jackson, NJ
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nevfrye
Junior Poster
Member # 2819
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posted
HI RUTH! I'm right on your heels here! How funny!Surfing, doing research - and here you are - well, love ya xx oo , TTYL!
Posts: 3 | From: Massachusetts
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extwacaptain
Prop Wash
Member # 381
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posted
www.spiritoftwa.com
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Dear Ms. Richter,
Your flight to New York and back will have to be the most positive and heart-warming airline story of the century. May it be the most enjoyable flight of your life.
Should you pass over the Van Nuys airport area, enroute to Santa Monica, please don't hesitate to run those props up as you cross the freeway just south of the field.
This story is better than anything Hollywood could produce.
Two of your admirers,
Randy and Sally Kramer
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September 18th.....UPDATE.....
Ruth and her crew left Santa Maria right on schedule this morning. Typical TWA operation.
[ 09-18-2008, 14:17: Message edited by: extwacaptain ]
Posts: 892 | From: Encino, Ca. U.S.A.
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Robert Dedman
Post Captain
Member # 366
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posted
Living proof that TWA may be gone from books but it will NEVER be gone. Too many nice people doing nice things to keep the memories alive. May we invite any flight crew member to join us at TARPA as we too keep the spirit alive.
Safe flying and keep the blue side up.
Posts: 271 | From: Virginia Beach, VA.
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