stories, happenings, where in the world

Note:   Pictures and notes previously on this page have been moved to History.
 
 
 
 
January 2008

Dear Ms. Allen,

My name is Jim Crawford. I was a mechanic at the Atlanta Maintenance Base from 1988 until it closed in 2003. I took a station layoff and was terminated by NWA when they imposed their new contract. I now work as a contractor for the Air Force in Tullahoma, Tennessee at Arnold Air Force base. Anyone wishing to contact me may do so by either e-mail at  JBCraw615@dishmail.net, or U.S. Mail at 4229 Dry Prong Road, Mulberry,  Tennessee, 37359. My home phone is 931-759-7638.

....... I would love to see some of the old crowd while we're still around. Hope to hear back from you soon.

Jim Crawford
 ATL NWA -  Mechanic

Editor:  Added Jim to Family and Friends on web site.
 
 
January 22, 2008

Thank you Lillian, I was extremely excited to read your email. ....

Yes, I would like for you to cross-reference with Platt, as that would be the most recognizable name. Of course it is fine with me if you edit whatever I write to you and post it on the Story section of your Web Site. Most of my fellow co- workers will perhaps remember my dad flew a lot on passes. He always wore a western cowboy hat. In fact workers from the ramps and other airlines would always say, "hey I saw your dad today, was he going to Texas?"

I was always based in Atlanta. We graduated in October of 1969. I do have some pictures ( one of every uniform I think) but I don't know how to scan or send them other than what my children refer to as 'snail mail'.  I do work full time for Regions Bank and have for some time. But I have also written several books and currently have one published that is getting a little attention. I am very close to a deal for a screen play version. It is the first in a series of Children's books that I wrote. For those who remember me it will be no surprise that it involves two little girls and a riding stable. There are some colorful characters both human and animal and of course adventure. I certainly welcome emails and look forward to catching up on what's been happening with those folks I shared so much fun with in the good ole days!!

Thank you again Lillian for taking your time to keep us all connected.

Sara Platt Williams

 
 
January 2008

Ms. Allen:
My name is Sara Platt Williams I was a Southern Airways stewardess from 1969 until 1973.  I attended training in Atlanta and was also based there. .... I believe Kay ... was the Chief Stewardess, I know she is the person who interviewed me when I applied in Atlanta. Marilyn Legg was the training instructor (it's so odd that I can remember these names so easily) I think there was another trainer but I'm not sure of her name.

Some of my classmates where Janice Cinqumanea, Barbara Bass and Cathy ?? not sure. I remember pilots like David Norvell and Wally Neilson.  Just to name a few right off the top of my head. Our class stayed at a hotel very near to the airport and close to the training facility. It was a great experience and a wonderful way to spend a few years right out of college.

I recently saw the movie We are Marshall and it brought up a lot of old memories so I decided to check on the web for Southern. I'm really glad you have this site and hope that I can hear from other "old stewardesses".  I do have a fairly good memory , but sometimes I just need a clue before it triggers.

Thank you again

Sara Platt Williams
 
 
 January 14, 2008

My name is Jim Crawford.  I was a mechanic at the Atlanta maintenance Base from 1988 'til it closed in 2003.  I took a station layoff and was terminated by NWA when they imposed their new contract.  I now work as a contractor for the Air Force in Tullahoma, Tennessee at Arnold Air Force base. Anyone wishing to contact me may do so by either e-mail at JBCraw615@dishmail.net, or U.S. Mail at
4229 Dry Prong Road, Mulberry, Tennessee, 37359. My home phone is 931-759-7638.

Jim Crawford
ATL NWA Mechanic 091262

 
 
January 2, 2008

Hi Lillian,

I am a former employee of Southern Airways (1978-1984) and noticed that my name was not listed on the website as a former employee. I started off with SO in Huntsville, Alabama in February of ’78, transferred to Wichita, KS in January of ’79 and remained there thru the merger with NC and Hughes Airwest as we became Republic. I left in 1984 to pursue other endeavors. Please add my name and contact info to the website. Thanks so much for keeping up with all of this. My time with Southern as a young man was some of the best in my lifetime and I will never forget it.

Sincerely,

Mark A. West
Vice President of Prison Programs
Theotherapy Seminars, Inc.
 
December 20, 2007

Charles L. (Larry) Ratterree
1120 N. 74th Way
Hollywood, FL 33024
(954) 394-9764
Currently semi-retired, worked for Levitz Furniture for 23 years before being layed off. Since then tried to find something meaningful but not much luck. Great to hear from you and look forward to hearing from others.
Take Care
Larry
 

Note:  Larry worked in Data Procesing between 1967 and 1972 and would love to hear from you ..
 Tue, November 6, 2007 7:45 pm

Hello Lillian:

My name is Bobby Morris I live in Pensacola. I grew up in Valley, AL. I'm a retired Overnite truck driver and postal worker. I now drive for Penske Truck Leasing going all over Ala, Ga, Ms, La, TN, and Fla delivering all types of trucks for Penske.

I also did four years in the Navy serving in VW-13 in Argentina, Newfoundland, and the USS Essex and the USS Forrestal I was an Aviation Boatswains Mate I worked on the flight deck. One of the most thrilling moments in my life was when I got to fly from La Grange, Ga to Atlanta on a Southern DC-3.

The year was either 1953 or 1954. In La Grange the airport put a red flag out to let the Southern pilot know he had some passengers down there they also had a green flag telling him to keep going.

Me and my late uncle Cam flew to Atlanta and we had a very good time. We rode back to the Valley on a Greyhound Bus. I don't how much it cost as my uncle worked for the West Point Manufacturing Company which later became West point Pepperill then West Point Stevens now it's going out of business the end of this month. He didn't make much money working in that Cotton Mill.

He knew I loved Airplanes, he knew I loved DC-3's from the war movies.

C-47's flew over our house in the Valley pulling Gliders behind them from Ft. Benning Army Base in Columbus. Everytime I'd hear a plane engine I'd run to the front yard to see what kind it was.

We talked about that plane ride every time I visited him in the Valley. My Favorite Airline has always been Southern. I loved The Martin 404 however I never got a chance to fly on one. I think Southern was the best Airline there ever was. The owners could not have picked a better name Southern Airways it does have a nice ring to it. I turned 66 Oct 30th and I think about that plane ride all the time. Times have changed in ways I didn't know could be possible, however memories remain the same until we pass on and that Flight to Atlanta sure made me happy and it's a wonderful memory of a time when things were plain and simple and I knew the DC-3 was the most beautiful plane in the world and two pilots and a hostess sure did make a little ole Valley country boy happy with a memory he would love and remember the rest of his life

Sincerely,
Bobby Morris

 
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Ted Barrett <ted.barrett@business.gatech.edu> wrote:

Thank you for this wonderful site.  I am a native Atlantan with a life long love of aviation.  My father was the Chief Flight Engineer for Lockheed in Marietta.  The fondest memories I have a child were trips to the old Atlanta Terminal to see my father off or greet him on his return.   He was often on the Southern route to Dothan and Eglin AFB.   I revered the great Airlines serving Atlanta in the 60's and early 70's.   Southern, Piedmont, Delta, Eastern, United and Northwest.   I studied the time tables dreaming of the great trips and adventures I would would take.   Now I enter the parking deck at Hartsfield with nothing by dread and loathing.

I was a better place and better time back then.   The glory and romance of the Southern Sky's are gone forever.  I will recall the Halcyon days of great Liners the 404's, F-27's, Vicounts, and DC-3's till my last days.

Bless you for retaining this history. 

Ted

Ted A. Barrett
Cost Accountant
Grants and Contracts Accounting
 
April 4, 2007

Had a question at the Monday Lunch, then a note from David Kemmerer looking for a contact on David Bethune.  I do not have this name in my data base, so if someone can be of assistance, please let me know.

Lillian

*****

March 5, 2007

Hello Lillian,
 
Love the Website for Southern Airways!  I hope you won't mind some input from a passenger, enthusiast and former Northwest employee.
 
My first trip with Southern was in December, 1971 from ATL to JAX with stops at CSG and ABY.  Aircraft was a Martin 404.
 
When I checked in at the counter, the agent on duty read my ticket and promptly told me that Southern didn't fly to Jacksonville but that she would be glad to rebook me with Eastern, Delta or United.  I, on the other hand, assured her that Southern did indeed fly to JAX and pointed to the large routemap on the wall behind her.  After consulting the timetable and my reservation, she said simply, "Well, how about that!  You learn something new everyday."
 
But then she asked, "Why would you fly us?  You know you can get on a jet and fly nonstop with Delta?"
 
"I want to fly on a Southern Airways Martin 404," I told her matter of factly.
 
"Oh.  Okay!"
 
She completed my check-in which included a single suitcase, and I was off to the concourse and gate. 
 
In those days, the 1961 terminal was still in full swing.  General flight announcements for all airlines still punctuated the entire building--the cacaphony of voices and feedback, ringing out final calls for flights, calling for wheelchairs, paging passengers, etc.
 
Southern's ramp scene was always one of the more interesting as Martins and DC-9s were parked askew of one another--the Nines pointed in and the Martins pointed out.  Ramp equipment everywhere and everyone busy.  I boarded via the ventral stairway and found a seat by the window aft of the wings on the port side.  Start up of the twin P&W R-2800s was smooth and easy, the typical belch of blue-white smoke signaling ignition.  Adjustment on the throttle sonn brought the engines to a smooth idle and then with a bit of power we cast off.  The plane departed with a bit of a shudder and rumble down the runway, the heartwarming roar of take off power providing assurance even as I could feel a bit of movement from the rudder just before we rotated. 
 
It had been a while since I had last experienced the awesome wonder and delights of piston flight, as I had become so used to seeing mostly blue sky or cloud on takeoffs from jets that pointed heavenward like homesick angels.  The Martin, by contrast, lifted off like a windswept leaf from a glassy lake and climbed out leisurely as if enjoying its own
 
Winter skies enroute to JAX that day were clear and smooth.  The flight was most pleasurable and from 6000 feet, I enjoyed the countryside from "see level" where I could even spot flocks of birds well below the aircraft and even people looking up, hands covering their eyes against the sun.
 
I was one of only a handful of passengers aboard that day, and the only through passenger to JAX.  Everyone else deplaned at CSG or ABY.  No one boarded at either stop and so I had the entire plane to myself going into JAX.   Needless to say but that I got plenty of attention from the lone flight attendant.
 
I later flew Southern Airways a few times between TLH and MEM and between JAX and MEM on DC-9 jets.  In fact, my last trip on Southern was from JAX to MEM and return on an SA pass in conjunction with a connection to Frontier onward to DEN for a job interview with that company.  That was in the summer of 1977.  I later joined Northwest in their sales office in Chicago.
 
Those were the days . . .
 
Kind Regards,
 
Marshall H. Massengale
.ATLOODA

*****

Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:39:54 -0500

Lillian:  
 
Thanks so much for your reply!    I think that I started working for Southern in 1961. A mechanic, I think his name was Victor Dotson, had been injured on the job and placed on "light duty" driving the crew car.  ...
 
When I worked as a Jr. Mechanic on the check crew my lead mechanic was "Altman", my flight line lead mechanic was "Red" I think his last name was Boiles. I had a lead mechanic for a while on the check crew named "Moses", he had been a flight line mechanic and later became an inspector. The foremans I worked for was "Stevens", "Andy Ford" and I think his name was "Mr. Bird" he came up from Jacksonville when the maintenance was closed there.
 
I must have left Southern in August of 1965 be cause I have a hand written note on a sheet of  
"SOUTHERN AIRWAYS, INC."   
"Inter-Office Correspondence"
Date: Aug.20 1965
To:    Whom it may concern
Subject: Ernest Head
Ernest Head worked under my supervision for approx. two years as a jr.mechanic. During this time his work was satisfactory. I would not hesitate to rehire this mechanic.
                    W. T. Ledbetter
                    Supt of Base Mtc.
 
I'm going to hang on to this---because some time I think "You know, I'd really like to go back to being a jr.mechanic or crew car driver at Southern Airways for just a little while"------- 
 
Lillian, you web page has taken me there.  Thanks a Bunch.
  
Ernest E. Head
426 Homer Edwards Road
Dahlonega Ga 30533
telephone:706 864-6749

******

Subject: Story for Southern Airways
Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 22:04:49 -0500

 
My name is Ernest E Head. 

I started working for Southern Airways in 1961 as "the Crew car Driver" making $2.00 per hr.   I thought I'd be very well off within a year or so making that kind of money.  The payment on my '58 Chevy Impala was $65 per month and my rent was $50 per month utilities furnished. After a few exciting months of driving the crew car I started working in "production control" in the old hanger. My bosses name was Curley,  and after a few months I got on as a Jr. Mechanic.


I came home to Dahlonega every weekend and felt like a celebrity when I told the locals that I was living in Atlanta, that I was an aircraft mechanic.  I worked on the check crew and the flight line. I left Southern Airways just before the purchase of the DC-9's, but I was there when we got the Martin 404's. We had to jack the nose wheel up to get them in the old hanger before we got Eastern's old Hanger. 

I will never forget how it seemed that everyone tried to help the "little hillbilly from Lumpkin County".  I don't remember all the names, but I will always remember the extra effort put forth to make an aircraft mechanic out of a kid fresh out of the boondocks. 

*****

 I received the following note.   I have responded to him regarding the disposition of Archie Yawn's collection, but it you want to and can    be of any assistance to him in response to his other questions, please let me know.

He has sent me a copy of his CD and you will see some great new pictures on the web site.  If you can help me identify some the names and locations I would appreciate it .... more good memories and goodies for the site!

Thanks.   Lillian


"Lillian:
 
I am David Weatherford and a professor of history at Okaloosa Walton College in Niceville, Florida.  As a graduate student at the University of Mississippi's Center for the Study of Southern Culture, I wrote my thesis on Southern Airways' Hospitality themed advertising.  This paper has now turned into an eight chapter book that begins with 16 year old Frank Hulse taking flying lessons in Augusta, his work during World War II, and the 30 year run of Southern.  This book is highly documented (CAB documents, annual reports, AVIATION WEEK, newspaper articles from all over the old Southern system. and the SOUTHERNAIRE) and gives a colorful history of a company I loved as a teenager growing up at the north-end of Eglin Air Force Base - I could almost touch the DC-3s, Mighty Martins and DC-9s that passed over my house.
 
The reason I have written you is I need photographs from the late 1950's and early 1960's of Southern's DC-3's and Martin 404's (mainly interior shots), flight attendants, pilots, the flight lines at MSY, ATL and MEM.  I have a great collection of visual material from the early years and the 1970's.  I know that Archie Yawn has submitted photographs in the past for Airliner Magazine's article on Southern (1994) and is his collection available - he was Southern PR man before Red Tyler.  Also does anyone hold the copywrite on Southern's advertising and photos?  As far as I can tell the airline did not copywrite any of their publications, and the SOUTHERAIRE stated that any material could be used (1960-1966).  I purchased a CD from Captain Chuck Degan, and the vast majority of his photographs were already in my collection.  By the way I have over 700 photographs and grapics in my collection (I will send you a CD once I have explored additional sources on Southern).  Also, have you seen the new Piedmont Airlines book?  That is the look I am going for in my book.
 
Here is a list of my chapter titles:
 
1. Frank W. Hulse and the Early Years of Southern Airways
2. Southern's Foundation Years: 1949 - 1955
3. Now You Can Fly Southern Across Mississippi (the colorful inaugural flights)
4. Route of the Aristocrats: 1956 - 1966
5. Everyone's Going Up Southern Style: 1967 - 1970 (my thesis)
6. Trouble in Dixie's Skies: The Early 1970s
7. The Flight Mark Years: 1973 - 1978
8. Too Poor to Paint and Too Proud to White Wash: The Birth of Republic Airlines
 
If you can help me with the photo/graphics collection, it would be greatly appreciated.
 
Thanks,
 
David Weatherford"

*****

Sent Sunday, July 16, 2006  (edited)

 
"I have a story of how the airlines have had to change in recent wears.  I was coming home from England in 1961 and flew Southern from Memphis to Greenwood, MS.  When we left Memphis , after we were airborne I went forward and stood at the door of the cockpit between the Captain and Co-pilot and only had to go back to my seat while we landed in Oxford. Isn't it nice to be able to trust?  I enjoyed Southern more than any airline I flew.
 
Sincerely
Donell Youngblood
122 Lightcap Blvd.
Vicksburg MS.  39180

*****

ReJuly 5, 2006

Found employee ...

" ......  I have Martha Finley (Greene) to thank for giving me SO  web site.   Story how 'we' got together .... I as non-reving ATL/TPA, had to conx in TLH, she was working the 'gates' and had called me up to the podium.  She said do you remember me?   She didn't look familiar, until she told me her name .... wow, finding ole friends again after all these years.  Since I've signed up, I've talked to several SO folks.

Thx again for having OUR website up...
 

Don Elliott,   Charter Coord."

*****

Received the following email:

.".... I am trying to find out if anyone knew O. M. Wright, aka Owen Mitchell Wright, or aka "Mitch" Wright. He was a pilot with Southern Airways in the 1960's, living in New Orleans. I think he was born in north Louisiana (either Monroe or Ruston or somewhere near) in 1921, and died in 1996, 97, or 98.

 
Would there be a way for me to get that inquiry to former Southern Airways employees? Thanks very much for your assistance.
 
Don Carpenter
P. O. Box 111538
Nashville, TN  37222-1538
615-231-6464
self-employed writer"
 

*****

Received the following email May 10, 2006

"As I was surfing the net today, I remembered that Southern Airways had a scheduled stop in Vicksburg, MS when I was much younger (say 18 or so, which would be about 40 some years ago).

One of my good friends was the Station Manager for Southern at the time and I would go and visit with him every now and then, especially when the flights would come in (you always had the prettiest flight attendants).

Anyway, as I was examining your website today, I found the section for Lost Employees and immediately thought of my old friend and all of the things which were associated with him and his position at VKS.

In the section (Lost Employees) I went to the “M” section and found him to be at the top of the list, haven’t being heard from since 1962.  A. B. Mackey………we all knew him as “Jackie”.

Here’s the bad news and I’m very sorry to inform you that Jackie Mackey passéd away many years ago, at a relatively young age.  I don’t know the exact year, but it was probably in the 1980s.

He was a good friend, my Company Commander in the National Guard, and also dated one of my sisters for some time.

Again, I’m sorry to be the one to inform you of this bad news but I thought that you would like to know (for the record).

Very truly yours,
Albert M. Kleinman, Jr.
kleinman1200@charter.net"

*****

April 5, 2006

Lawrence Block has updated his contact information and hopes to hear from some old friends.

*****

Received the following email:

"March 27, 2006

Subject:  Southern Airways in Vicksburg, MS

I am the Director of a proposed new transportation museum in Vicksburg, and we plan an exhibit featuring Southern Airways.  At this time we need information on the history of Southern in Vicksburg.   Any information will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Lamar Roberts, Director
Vicksburg Transportation Museum
lamarsue@bellsouth.net"

******

February 13, 2006

Does anybody remember Jessie Miles, a Flight Attendant in the 60's ?   She was not in the 1999 data base so she must have left earlier.  If you know of her or how to reach her, let me know at weblil@yahoo.com as I have a message for her.    

*****

February 2, 2006
 

"My name is Connis Chandler Kimball, I was the First African American Stewardess that was hired by Southern Airways,  I was hired in the Class and graduated November, 1966.  At that time Kay Davidson was the Base Chief Stewardess. After, I am married to Rev. homas Kimball. After I became pregnant in 1970, I worked in Res. for a year, before leaving Southern."

Editor's note:  You'll find her current information in the Directory.

*****

February 2, 2006

Received from Cathy Martin:

"I was excited to find this website about Southern Airways (by accident). I found that I was in your Lost Employees section..so now you know where I am located :) I read the Obits and was shocked to find so many people that I worked with in your listing. Thanks for all of your hard work. .... "

Editor's note:  You'll find Cathy's information in the Directory.
 

*****

January 19, 2006

I received a note from Allan Kelley along with his new email address (his entry has been updated).  I also asked if I could share the following information regarding his wife with our friends:

"In May 2003,  they found a brain tumor and operated immediately and said it was caused by lung cancer which had already spread in her body. Annette had radiation and chemo and experimental new drugs for 18 months but lived until July 15, 2005. She was a fighter and right up to the end was always thinking about others instead of herself. She was always at my side during all 8 moves on Southern system.  We have 5 children, all born in 5 different states. Now have 10 grandchildren and 3 great grands.    Thanks,  Allan"

*****

January 18, 2006

Received a note from Pat Lowry that Jim Boyles' address has changed (it is now current in our directory) and he no longer has email access.  So since we missed his birthday (December 30), I'd bet he'd like to receive notes and telephone calls from our folks.  And don't forget him on Valentine's day coming up.  Jim's cell number is 678-758-8763.

*****

January 14, 2006

Kay Davison Peters' sister sent me an email that Kay's 70th birthday is coming up February 26.   She would like to hear from old friends.

*****

December 30, 2005

Received a note from Linda C. Wilson:

"I just retired from NWA on Oct.31, 2005.  I was a Flight Attendant based in MEM from April 1970 until retirement.  My husband Woody worked as a ramp agent in MEM from 1971 until 1974.  We live in Searcy, AR.  We are enjoying our granddaughter and having a great time in AR.  Love to hear from people.   Linda Chaffin Wilson"

Her current information is in the Directory.

*****

December 6, 2005

Hello,
My name is Rand Peck, I'm an NWA, DTW 757 captain, hired by REP in April of 1985. I spent years flying with SOU pilots on both the DC-9 and 727 and had a wonderful time with these fellows. C. David Cox sent me your site and I've thoroughly enjoyed it. Although mostly new, I have an aviation photo blog, listed below, that I think many of our friends may enjoy visiting from time to time. I'm always adding to it and they will find current pictures of airplanes that they've flown.
Thanks very much,
Rand

Visit our WEBSITE at: http://www.stickandrudderaviation.com/
Visit our BLOGSITE at: http://randsaviationphotos.blogspot.com/
*****

December 5, 2005

From:  Jim Coleman

It was truly a great time for me to attend the luncheon on the first Monday in November. Truly good to see so many from the Southern days and make new Friends, at the same time. May this continue for as long as we exist.

May God Bless all of you,

James Coleman  1965