This Pennsylvania Lawyer, his daughter Malissa and I started talking of a return trip to Europe shortly after unpacking our bags a year ago –
After checking Vacation Schedule for Malissa and looking over many trip plans we decided that a T.W.A. trip that would include London, Paris, and Rome would suit us all – So we made a request for space on this Tour –
Before we had a confirmation Jim had persuaded Earl and JoAnne A. along with their son Tim and Ruth & Harold S. to “come along” –
So the eight of us waited & watched the mail for word that indeed the trip would “go” – That would come in early February & then we really began to get excited –
March 20, 1971
“Day 1 Depart New York Overnight TWA jet toward London”
Then, at last the great day arrived when our bags were packed, repacked, weighed & ready to go –
We left home about 11:50 a.m. with the A.’s – We left Greater Pittsburgh Airport on American Air Lines and at 1:20 felt we were really on our way – At 2:30 we landed at Kennedy Airport in sun and snow showers –
We met the S.’s at the T.W.A. Terminal & waited for check in time –
That time finally arrived and we got our boarding passes – There was a rather long delay as each passenger passed through a security check and and inspection of hand luggage – (Malissa had her face cream sniffed & felt ) But, at 8:47 p.m. we were settled in our seats in the 747 & saw New York City from the air on a clear bright night
It is hard to believe that anything that big could even get off the ground much less fly across the ocean at 38,000 feet – It was 231 feet long, has a wing span of 196 feet and is 63 feet tall at the tail – Aboard there were 374 passengers and crew –
Aboard we had a late late dinner (about 11 p.m.) and were happy we’d decided to have a hot dog before we left the U.S.A. –
As we flew over the Atlantic Ocean Spring arrived at 1:22 a.m. E.S.T.
The back of the postcard reads: “Space, comfort, luxury. The TWA 747 has everything a passenger could ask for — and more. A dramatic design concept that offers a new experience in flying. An airliner as exciting as tomorrow — serving the needs of travelers of today.”
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Volume labeled “The Pennsylvania Lawyer’s Diary 1971”, used as travel journal by Elizabeth W. Ruffner, for a trip taken in March-April 1971; held by Malissa Ruffner, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE], Baltimore, MD; 2011.
For background information on this series of posts, see Spring Break, 1971.
Family Epic 