Question about the airport check-in
Why is it that during the airport check-in sequence at the beginning of the film, why do the passengers all state their age and location of birth to the check-in staff?
mmm, doughnut...
-Homer J. Simpson
I started a post about that. I believe it was just a not so subtle way of getting to know these characters.
shareSo it has no connection to actual 1950s check-in procedures?
mmm, doughnut...
-Homer J. Simpson
I wouldn't think so. They said all sorts of things that had nothing to do with boarding a plane
shareIt was actually a simplified procedure for an over-water flight back then. The departure manifest (kept at the desk) had this information entered on it because it made notification faster if the plane went missing. What wouldn't be put up with today was the passengers also had to weigh-in--OMG!! how politically incorrect!!!!!
The flight engineer and first officer had to calculate the T/O weight pretty close with regard to the amount of fuel stuffed into the tanks for that trip. At that time a few too many fat people, some heavy bags and a head wind could add up to a very wet landing. There was a very close eye kept on airspeed, fuel mixture, prop pitch and amount of fuel left on board.
What does all that have to do with somebody telling the person at the desk that they were born the son of a share cropper and where they grew up and where they were raised and all that?
shareThey were showing a simplification of the process of finding out next of kin for notification purposes. This info was kept at the departure desk until the flight reached it's destination.
shareWhat wouldn't be put up with today was the passengers also had to weigh-inAre you kidding? The way passengers are being nickle-and-dimed for everything from blankets to using the rest room, I expect the carriers to start weighing them and charging by the pound any day now.
Poe! You are...avenged! share