Barbara Ann “B.A.” Walters first took to the skies with her stunt pilot father in the open air cockpit of his plane. She then took the world by storm as a stewardess for Pan American World Airways in a 37-year career that spanned aircraft from the Convair 240 to the Boeing 747. independent, adventurous and fearless, B.A. only once admitted to being somewhat “apprehensive” about working near the door of the Boeing Straocruiser after a tragedy in which a passenger was blown out the door of the plane. For a look at 37 Years of Airborne Adventure by Barbara Ann “B.A.” Walters. Click here!
Thanks to Clipper Crew member Terry Foster for a great story and to B.A. Walters for taking the time to share it all with us.
Clipper Crew wants to thank everyone for the many wonderful emails, ideas and stories that you send us! We are honored that some of you have even sent us precious Pan Am memories and items. We would like to encourage anyone with Pan Am Memorabilia to also consider donating to the University of Miami, Richter Library, Special Collections. Their email address is asc.library@miami.edu (put Pan Am Archives in the subject line). To access their web site click here. They’ve done an outstanding job with Pan Am’s historical records and their archive is open to the public.
We have new “vintage” photos coming from our surprise interview which will publish on April 10th 2015 with yet another fabulous Pan Am Stewardess from the 40s. She is 90 years young, still lives independently, and line dances each week. She recently ditched her land line and bought a smart phone and is now texting! We are so happy she returned our call and we welcome her to Clipper Crew.
She and the other stewardesses interviewed inspired us so much that Jocelyne and I had to visit Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum just to stand by the Boeing Stratocruiser. What a beauty and what an honor for those who worked on that plane.
If you are new to our site please look at the drop down menu under Adventure Called. You must read Dispatches from Doris and Memoirs from Lynn Lawrence Oberle, all of them, from Lunch with Lynn to Parts I through IV of her Pan Am Memoir. Click here for our recent tribute to Tenerife or use the link on the menu on the left side of our home page.
Please “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter! If you are a former Pan American flight attendant join us today, there are no dues to pay and no forms to fill out. Click here.
Giselle Foresman
Doris was my cousin and I adored her. She was a beautiful woman and full of love and energy. She loved her husband, Charles and her children and grandchildren. She was very proud and thankful for the opportunity for her career and the privilege to travel all over the world. I loved her and Charles and miss them very much.
BA I loved your story and am so glad you did it. I learned a few things from your story.
Fun reading about our Pan Am family and their rich history!
Thank you for all the nice remarks!
Great story and photos!
Amazing Lady and good example for the rest of us!
Thanks for sharing!
Irene Schwarz
Miami Chapter President
World Wings International
http://www.worldwingsinternational.org
Doris Kinsell thanks everyone for the wonderful emails they have sent. It is difficult for her at age 95 to read all of them. If you would like to contact Doris by phone, send Clipper Crew an email (clippercrew@outlook.com) that includes your request and your contact information and we will be happy to pass the information to Doris. Connecting, Caring and Celebrating Our Legacy! Thank you to everyone for your interest in Doris Brinkley Kinsell, Pan Am Stewardess 1944-1947.
We have a twitter account! #PAAClipperCrew!
All along my alley, when I started with Pan Am in January 1955 and started flying Steward/Purser in 1957. Wrote a book called: “Above and below the clouds,” Observations.
Also written in German: “Über und unter den Wolken.”
Both books available at Amazon and as E-books.
Harry W Frahm
Miami Chapter Vice President
World Wings International, Inc.
Telephone: 305 931 7114
Panam55@aol.com
http://www.worldwingsinternational.org
What a great website….how about getting a Twitter account as well? It is just another way to get more traffic to your site.
Gigi
How wise, thoughtful and absolutely FABULOUS of Clipper Crew to honor our pioneer stewardesses from the 1950s!
My hat is off to the C.C.team for this brilliant idea. And of course, to Doris, Lynn and every single one of those incredible women who paved the way for the rest of us!
You do us proud, fine ladies!
Thank you and much Aloha!
Terry Webber
These are such iconic and wonderful pictures. Thank you.