When the Goodyear blimp AMERICA was launched, I was very impressed the first time I saw it ! It was, on a word, snazzy! I had seen it fly overhead many times, and enjoyed each and every sighting.
It was a pretty day in 1976. I represented a company and part of my territory was New Orleans East. This happily included the old Shushan Airport, which was now known as Lakefront Airport (IATA: NEW).
In the days before cellphones, the Art Deco terminal of Lakefront offered QUIET Old-Timey phone booths straight out of a 1930's movie. I felt like asking the operator to get me Sesquehanna 2222!
The place also afforded a nice view of aircraft activity, so I'd usually get in a little plane spotting before going back to "making the doughnuts."
This particular day was no different, except that the AMERICA was in town, and moored right there at Lakefront!! I stopped by to make my calls — and check out the blimp, naturally!
I was outside, leaning on the railing, enjoying the day and the blimp on its mast, when a guy in a Goodyear jacket walked out the door, apparently not much in a hurry.
As luck would have it that day, there wasn't a soul around except he and I. I swallowed hard and introduced myself to him in a very businessman-like manner, using my employer's nationally-known company name shamelessly.
"Hi!" I greeted the gentleman warmly, offering my handshake. "I'm Ken Hall with XYZ. I was wondering if there would be a possibility of getting a stand-by on a cancellation for today?"
To my delight, the man asked me: "How is your schedule?"
"Flexible." I replied.
"Good," he said, continuing: "Have a seat in the restaurant, and I'll get back with you!"
Things were looking UP!!!
I went into airport the 1930's vintage coffee shop, where Humphrey Bogart would've fit in nicely, sat on a stool at the counter, and ordered a cup of strong cup of coffee only a New Orleans café could offer up.
The waitress brewed me up a fresh pot of chickory, and the wonderful, robust aroma filled the air as she poured me a full cup of Café-au-lait!
I had only time for a couple of sips when in came the Goodyear guy all excited.
"I got you on the FIRST FLIGHT! he exclaims. "Come on - the van is waiting!"
I drank deeply of the cup, tipped the waitress, and exited the building, entering the waiting Goodyear Airships Operations van.
It was really HAPPENING!!!!
I got on with several corporate types, and upon entry, introduced myself to the pilot, whose last name I remember as Wren. When I told him I was an LTA fan, instead of taking the blimp on its standard trip around the flagpole, he showed me the controls as if I were a student pilot - and put the craft through a variety of maneuvers.
We flew over Lake Pontchartrain, then went over the Fair Grounds where my grandparents were still living at the time. I would have given anything for a cellphone to call them to come out and look up at us overhead!
He then headed back to Lakefront, pitching forward at an incredible sharp angle as we slowly descended - landing amid a team of experienced ground crewmembers.
My airborne adventure was at an end. Sadly, as was true for most momentous events in my life, I had no camera with me, so I only have the memories.
For many years in the future I would see the silvery AMERICA fly overhead, but things would be different now: I finally got a ride in it!!
