Delta's long history and experience with international flying

[cessnapilot]

Sorry... this is kind of a repeat post I put on APC. I couldn't remember if the thread I saw was here or there! So... if you saw it there... its just a repeat here...

I cannot find it now, but there was a post within the last couple of weeks about all of the "history and experience" the Delta pilots had with international flying. I thought it was kind of funny, and showed the age of the poster. Delta has done a great job of taking over and expanding a great international route system, but it wasn't always so. In the 70's it was basically only Northwest, TWA and Pan Am doing the international flying. I think that many of todays younger pilots would be shocked to see what the other airlines were flying not too long ago. Its such an interesting industry! I loved the book "Sky Gods. The Fall of Pan Am." by Gant.

I found some interesting route maps.

Delta 1985
http://www.airchive.com/Timetables and Maps/Delta Compressed/DLmap8506.jpg

United 1981
http://www.airchive.com/Timetables and Maps/UA Compressed/UAmap8107.jpg

AA 1983
http://www.airchive.com/Timetables and Maps/American Compressed/AAmap8301.jpg

Continental 1984
http://www.airchive.com/Timetables and Maps/Continental Compressed/COmap8402.jpg

 

[acarpe3448]

Sorry... this is kind of a repeat post I put on APC. I couldn't remember if the thread I saw was here or there! So... if you saw it there... its just a repeat here...

I cannot find it now, but there was a post within the last couple of weeks about all of the "history and experience" the Delta pilots had with international flying. I thought it was kind of funny, and showed the age of the poster. Delta has done a great job of taking over and expanding a great international route system, but it wasn't always so. In the 70's it was basically only Northwest, TWA and Pan Am doing the international flying. I think that many of todays younger pilots would be shocked to see what the other airlines were flying not too long ago. Its such an interesting industry! I loved the book "Sky Gods. The Fall of Pan Am." by Gant.

I found some interesting route maps.

Delta 1985
http://www.airchive.com/Timetables and Maps/Delta Compressed/DLmap8506.jpg

United 1981
http://www.airchive.com/Timetables and Maps/UA Compressed/UAmap8107.jpg

AA 1983
http://www.airchive.com/Timetables and Maps/American Compressed/AAmap8301.jpg

Continental 1984
http://www.airchive.com/Timetables and Maps/Continental Compressed/COmap8402.jpg

I guess you can say that we have gained a lot of international experience in a short period(30 years) of time! In any case we are a growing international airline that can rival most airlines in the world! I believe that we are the biggest international airline over the Atlantic. Look for additional Far East expansion into China etc. In any case thanks for posting the maps! It was interesting to see how far we all come! Take Care!!!

 

[JoeMerchant]

Just to put things in perspective....

http://www.skywest.com/skywinc/routemaps/rm_img/skywINC_routes(JUN07).gif

 

[Uniform Shop]

It's hard to believe this was in 1955.

http://www.airchive.com/Timetables and Maps/TWA Compressed/TWmap5510.jpg

 

[Bullitt]

That's pretty cool. My dad flew for Royale Airlines, the Continental commuter in the late 70's and that is probably the first time I have ever seen a route map from their Houston hub.

 

[AA717driver]

Yeah, Delta got a lot of experience in a short amount of time: They used to be on a couple different tracks on each crossing... TC

 

[cessnapilot]

It's hard to believe this was in 1955.

http://www.airchive.com/Timetables and Maps/TWA Compressed/TWmap5510.jpg

It was amazing. I also enjoyed Bob Bucks book “North Star Over My Shoulder.” He was at TWA when they flew those flights… around the world. I made it to TWA, but by then there was no asia service. I did get a little bit of what it must have felt like. Dispatch at JFK in Hangar 10 felt like the 1940’s! I also remember going to the same restaurant that TWA crews had been going to for years in Madrid and Cairo. The families (3rd generation) put up TWA stickers in the windows of their restaurant, and gave us a killer deal. Times gone by…

 

[aa73]

Yeah, Delta got a lot of experience in a short amount of time: They used to be on a couple different tracks on each crossing... TC

youch! LOL, good one TC

 

[AA717driver]

cessnapilot--I was in MAD a couple of years ago and went to check to see if Alvar's was still open. Sadly, it had closed. It is now some upscale restaurant. Hope he's doing well...

The Crocodile was gone, too. Nothing but a faded sign left.

Good times! TC

 

[cessnapilot]

cessnapilot--I was in MAD a couple of years ago and went to check to see if Alvar's was still open. Sadly, it had closed. It is now some upscale restaurant. Hope he's doing well...

The Crocodile was gone, too. Nothing but a faded sign left.

Good times! TC

That was it... Alvar's... those were the nicest people. One time they were closed, and we tried to open the door. With no luck on that, we were walking away when he opened the door and called us back. His wife was sick, but he came in just for the crew. Unreal. Lots of food, bottles of wine, and the big bill of $10 each. Great times!