Bette Nash has been an American Airlines flight attendant since 1957
An 82-year-old air-hostess who started flying when tickets cost $12 and schedules were written on chalkboards has been honoured for 60 years of service.
Bette Nash has been an American Airlines flight attendant since 1957 when Dwight D. Eisenhower was in the White House.
She fondly remembers flying with the Kennedys and serving lobster and carved meats on platters.
Today she said: ‘My job means the world to me – it’s truly been a joy.’
As American’s most senior flight attendant, Bette can fly any route she’d like. Since 1961 she’s been flying the shuttle route between Washington DC and Boston so she can get back to her Manassas, Virginia home by night to be with her son who has special needs.
‘Do I like my job? I love my job,’ she said, adding that she has no plans to retire.
Bette is still strong enough to drag an ill passenger into the aisle and start CPR to pass the annual FAA test.
She said: ‘My favorite part of flying over the years has been greeting my passengers as they board and deplane. People really are fascinating.’
At a ceremony at DCA, her boss Jill Surdek surprised her with diamond earrings to celebrate the momentous occasion.
And CEO Doug Parker announced a $10,000 donation to Sacred Heart Catholic Church Food Bank in her name. Bette regularly donates her time to the organization.
Over the years, Bette has made several lasting relationships with customers on board the shuttle.
One her regulars, Simon Johnson, said: ‘I think what is most amazing and impressive about Bette is the way she warms up the entire aircraft.
‘You walk on, you meet her, she knows your name, she remembers the conversation that she was having with you yesterday or last week or a month ago,’ he said.
Video courtesy of WJLA
Bette Nash fondly remembers flying with the Kennedys and serving lobster and carved meats on platters
Bette and a few of her colleagues who work together regularly are affectionately known as the crew of the ‘Nash-Dash,’ after her surname
Bette and a few of her colleagues who work together regularly are affectionately known as the crew of the ‘Nash-Dash,’ after her surname.
‘Bette has always looked pristine,’ remembered fellow DCA-based flight attendant Helen Waters.
‘When Bette started flight attendants had to wear gloves, and she used to bring two pairs, just in case one got dirty while working.’
Talking about the early days of her flying career, Bette said: ‘They used to chalk up all the morning flights with chalk and in the afternoon, they’d erase it and chalk it up again.’
At a ceremony at DCA, her boss Jill Surdek surprised her with diamond earrings to celebrate the momentous occasion
One of her highlights was flying the Kennedys to Boston. ‘Jackie Kennedy was on my flight, Bobby Kenney, Ethel Kennedy, Ted Kennedy,’ she said.
Bette added: ‘I’m so pleased to be here in the terminal where I decided I wanted to be a flight attendant, and to be here celebrating my 60th anniversary still wanting to be a flight attendant means the world to me.’
American’s Chairman and CEO, Doug Parker said: ‘Bette has taken care of millions of our customers, around the world, for the past six decades,
‘It’s the simple things that she does each day, like greet customers with a warm smile, friendly hello and thanking them for their business that has added to her legacy and ability to create an airline that customers want to fly.
‘On behalf of Bette’s more than 120,000 fellow team members, we are honored to celebrate her and her milestone 60 years of service today.’
Talking about the early days of her flying career, Bette said: ‘They used to chalk up all the morning flights with chalk and in the afternoon, they’d erase it and chalk it up again.’