Tired, angry and discouraged, we did our best to keep this crowd under control and maintain a positive outlook. We flew down, picked up the waiting people in Mexico and departed for Houston. About 30 minutes out of Acapulco we lost one of the engines on this plane mid-air. But Houston was closer than turning back, so at least we were going home. Once again we prepared our worn down passengers for an emergency landing and safely landed at Houston's Intercontinental airport at 5:30 am. We breathed a sigh of relief and planned to avoid the Captain at all costs. Our efforts were in vain as we sat on the runway, waiting for Custom's to open at 7:00 am. Nice to be home - but would have been better to be in my own bed resting peacefully instead of waiting for Custom's to allow us entrance into the United States.
That trip did end. We did get to rest. I don't remember how long, but I am sure it wasn't long enough!
Years later were doing a San Antonio turn. Very easy trip. Short, full loads and not a lot of time to think about much. We left Houston without incident. While turning the plane back to Houston, the passengers outside waiting to board were watching television screens flashing news casts about an L-10-11 that had just crashed in Dallas, killing most everyone on board. Initial speculation blamed wind shear. There was a decent size storm in Dallas that was now on its way to Houston - our destination!
It need not be said that most of the passengers boarding the flight were a bit anxious and feeling uncomfortable about flying into the eye of the storm that had just downed an L10-11 with most on board perishing. But the Captain reassured of our safety and we took off and began our short 30 minute flight to IAH.
Upon our initial decent we felt the plane go into a rocking pattern, not typical for landing. Nerves were fragile and the tension high. We knew we were crossing paths with a deadly storm. As most sat frozen in their seat the aircraft lost power and was now swaying madly. Flight Attendants are to remain calm in an effort to maintain control. Passengers started screaming and the Flight Attendant next to me joined in with vigor. My thoughts focused on the ridiculous high heels we were required to wear and the pantyhose that would burn into my legs if a slide evacuation become necessary. I was sitting right next to the door so I was certain I had an escape route readily available. Off went the shoes and the pantyhose… I was getting prepared. Just about the time I had gathered my thoughts and prepared for the worst, the pilot eased the plane down to the ground and reversed the engines. We slowly taxied to the gate and quietly deplaned passengers. We were safe.
After a few months of uneventful flying we were taking a flight to Detroit on a DC-9. The trip was quiet and most of the passengers were comfortably resting while we descended. A faint smell of smoke alerted the crew. About the time passengers had detected the smoke a rush of thick brown smoke filled the cabin. Shortly thereafter, we touched down, taxied to the gate and patiently waited for the smoke to dissipate. It did and after deplaning the passengers our pilots informed of that one of the engines had caught fire. It never fully ignited and was quickly denied oxygen, in essence putting it out before it really started!
After that, I never really had any more incidents as a crew member. Things were settling down and procedures put in place to maintain better care of the planes. Even though fares were low, airlines were learning how to operate profitably in a lean market. Our schedules were calming down and we were starting to realize the benefits of working for an airline. Time off and flight benefits make for a unique and comfortable job. Despite the calm, I still encountered a few mishaps as I flew on my own time.
I was returning from a visit with my family in Wyoming. I left the Rock Springs, Wyoming airport on a Convair, prop plane, as a passenger, but dressed in uniform because I had a flight as soon as I got back to Houston. Our first leg of the journey was from Rock Springs to Denver. The take off was uneventful and I was settling in as we passed through 10,000 feet and the “No Smoking” sign was turned off. I had a window seat over the wing and was casually looking out the window when I noticed that the prop quit turning. Several other passengers noticed the same thing and were looking to me to provide an answer. Obviously I was no help, I was not a crew member, but simply a passenger. I confirmed that I did not think that it was normal… big help I was!
