Air travel was once considered the most elite way to travel. Families would dress up for their flights. The world of pilots and flight attendants (called stewardesses) was considered elegant and one that many dreamt of living. It had an allure of its own. But as time evolved, air travel became more common. Most Americans have travelled on a plane at least once. Industry cutbacks led to the perks of air travel going away. Some have described air travel now as the same as riding a bus. The allure of working in the friendly skies has also diminished. How has the allure of working for an airline changed? How has air travel changed? How has working in the industry changed from the 1960s to the 21st century? What were the challenges for females? How did they navigate the challenges?
I had a chance to interview Constance Vaughn, author of the soon to be released, A Dream Takes Flight. Vaughn recounts the elegance of air travel and the thrills of working in the industry and the challenges of it for a female. She recounts the evolution of air travel and working in the friendly skies from the 1960s to the 21st century.Tell us about the book.
An incredibly inspiring tale of a stewardess with big dreams in the 1960’s to become a glamorous stewardess and wear the most fashionable uniforms while traveling the world. She becomes a veteran retiring after 41 3/4 years in flight. Susie shares behind the scenes shenanigans of her and her co-workers, with tongue in cheek humor. She designed the life she lived unapologetically and with great fervor. Susie gets her happy ending marrying the love of her life and living happily ever after.
What was the biggest challenging in writing it?
Captivating Susie’s voice while staying true to her experiences. She is quite a character in real life and I didn’t want to lose that opportunity to highlight her real self while being historically accurate to the egregious conditions set forth for stewardesses throughout the years she worked.
Was there anything you wished you had included that you didn’t?
Not really, I felt some details should remain private for Susie’s best interest. The names were changed to protect the guilty. Ha ha
How did you develop the characters?
I spent a lot of time with Susie recounting her glamorous life. I have studied many modalities with people throughout my life in sales. Mastering the art of people and their intentions and truths that they don’t say. Susie was very transparent and honest with her answers.
This is historic fiction, why did you select this genre?
At the age of 65+, Susie could recall hight points in the story of her life but she wanted me to put a voice to her life that was true but also more interesting to read than the basics. So I told her fiction would allow me to put her life in color, so I did.
What was the biggest surprise in writing it?
Truly the egregious conditions and requirements for working women specifically. It was something I didn’t realize until I researched the rules and guidelines for stewardesses at that time and into the 2000’s. Not to mention unrealistic expectations for young women looking to break out of the standard Leave It to Beaver reality most women accepted in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and onward. Shocking really.
You write about the airline industry from its heyday to what many describe as its decline, what are some of the biggest changes in the airline industry over the years?
Overall I saw the glamour of air travel turn into herding people in the sky. The way people dressed for air travel went from diamonds and furs to sweats and hoodies. Food was another big one. Gourmet meals with dessert and drinks was industry standard and always on par with posh elegant travel to peanuts, literally.
How have jobs in the industry changed?
A big one Susie hated was changing the name from stewardess to flight attendant. She felt it diminished the status and relegated stewardesses to waitresses in the sky, just like her Dad told her.
How can travelers and workers bring back some of the good things about air travel?
Relish the fact that air travel is quite impressive with movies and wi-fi available today. You can have business on a plane and get to your destination quite easily and smoothly with workers keeping it fluid for travelers. I would love for travelers to appreciate it more for what it is, instead of it being so presumed.
What are some trends that are driving the future of the industry?
Privatization of air travel, hitching a ride on a private jet that is in between use of the owner. My favorite way to travel. It’s my secret dream expense.
What would Susie Q think about today’s airline industry?
She hates it, mostly because travelers assume they are in control, when in reality the pilot is the boss in the sky. Dealing with the volume of people that use air travel it has lost its glamour for Susie.
Which carrier do you think she would want to work on today?
Qatar, Virgin or Emirates of course, they would be the most glamorous!
Which part of the book was your favorite when writing, and why that section?
1960’s. I feel it was a more innocent time of life for most. The fashion was revered and people were much more respectful of others. In general life was respected and lived to the fullest at that time.
What was the biggest challenging in writing it?
Captivating Susie’s voice while staying true to her experiences. She is quite a character in real life and I didn’t want to lose that opportunity to highlight her real self while being historically accurate to the egregious conditions set forth for stewardesses throughout the years she worked.
Was there anything you wished you had included that you didn’t?
Not really, I felt some details should remain private for Susie’s best interest. The names were changed to protect the guilty. Ha ha
How did you develop the characters?
I spent a lot of time with Susie recounting her glamorous life. I have studied many modalities with people throughout my life in sales. Mastering the art of people and their intentions and truths that they don’t say. Susie was very transparent and honest with her answers.
This is historic fiction, why did you select this genre?
At the age of 65+, Susie could recall hight points in the story of her life but she wanted me to put a voice to her life that was true but also more interesting to read than the basics. So I told her fiction would allow me to put her life in color, so I did.
What was the biggest surprise in writing it?
Truly the egregious conditions and requirements for working women specifically. It was something I didn’t realize until I researched the rules and guidelines for stewardesses at that time and into the 2000’s. Not to mention unrealistic expectations for young women looking to break out of the standard Leave It to Beaver reality most women accepted in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and onward. Shocking really.
You write about the airline industry from its heyday to what many describe as its decline, what are some of the biggest changes in the airline industry over the years?
Overall I saw the glamour of air travel turn into herding people in the sky. The way people dressed for air travel went from diamonds and furs to sweats and hoodies. Food was another big one. Gourmet meals with dessert and drinks was industry standard and always on par with posh elegant travel to peanuts, literally.
How have jobs in the industry changed?
A big one Susie hated was changing the name from stewardess to flight attendant. She felt it diminished the status and relegated stewardesses to waitresses in the sky, just like her Dad told her.
How can travelers and workers bring back some of the good things about air travel?
Relish the fact that air travel is quite impressive with movies and wi-fi available today. You can have business on a plane and get to your destination quite easily and smoothly with workers keeping it fluid for travelers. I would love for travelers to appreciate it more for what it is, instead of it being so presumed.
What are some trends that are driving the future of the industry?
Privatization of air travel, hitching a ride on a private jet that is in between use of the owner. My favorite way to travel. It’s my secret dream expense.
What would Susie Q think about today’s airline industry?
She hates it, mostly because travelers assume they are in control, when in reality the pilot is the boss in the sky. Dealing with the volume of people that use air travel it has lost its glamour for Susie.
Which carrier do you think she would want to work on today?
Qatar, Virgin or Emirates of course, they would be the most glamorous!
Which part of the book was your favorite when writing, and why that section?
1960’s. I feel it was a more innocent time of life for most. The fashion was revered and people were much more respectful of others. In general life was respected and lived to the fullest at that time.
Do you plan on writing any other books?
I already have, finishing up my pride and joy at the moment. Hopefully coming to you soon with my sights on HBO or Netflix turning it into the earth shattering story I feel it is!!
What advice would you give an aspiring writer? Just do it, write what you love. Fall in love with writing dialogue. The freedom you have from making and creating anything I dream is my passion. So just write, don’t correct yourself and get your story out of you and on paper, or your laptop!
Enjoyed this book so much and learned a little about our air travel history. What a life she led! Definitely recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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