What Happened To Pacific Southwest Airlines? "The World's Friendliest Airline"

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3 жыл бұрын

PSA was best known for its smiles and its sense of humor for 39 years. They're regarded as America's first low-cost airline and the unofficial flag carrier of California during its time in operation. They went from a small, intrastate airline to large influential carrier in the western US that helped set the standard for future air travel trends.
The creator of Southwest Airlines, Herb Kelleher, studied PSA before creating Southwest, and while he didn't necessarily steal their operating manual, the one he ended up creating for Southwest was very similar. PSA didn't receive much in return for giving their grand tour to Kelleher, knowledge of low-cost operations was key for learning how to run an airline post-deregulation.
IATA Code: PS
IACO Code: PSA
Callsign: "PSA"
Years Active: 1949 - 1988
Headquarters: San Diego, CA
Hubs: Los Angeles (LAX), San Diego (SAN), San Fransisco (SFO)
Fate: Merged into USAir (Later US Airways)
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SOME CLARIFICATIONS
Yeah, I realized I said "BEA 146" and not "BAE 146" - which is the correct way. Also, discussing how competition works in a free market can be tricky, so I've given my interpretation of how the merger with USAir could have played out differently, and how it influenced the industry going forward. There are many other possibilities that could be considered, but I've written down what seemed most likely. Also, some aircraft types have been purposefully left out for the sake of story telling (ie DC-6 and MD-80s) so I tried to show them visually when possible.
DISCLAIMER
This video is made for education/entertainment purposes. If you are the owner of any of the copyrighted pictures/clips used in the video and would like them removed, please contact me at realdabomb21@gmail.com . Please see document link provided below for a full list of media sources.
Plane spotting clips credit to PDX Aviation
/ buybygb
Stock footage provided by Free Stock Vids
List Of Citations:
Images are licensed under Creative Commons and/or GDFL. See linked document for further information about authors and image links:
docs.google.com/document/d/1_...

Пікірлер: 551

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

Comment your PSA experiences down below! More videos on defunct airlines coming soon! *ERRORS I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF* (My apologies): - INTRAstate not INTERstate - BAe146 not BEa146 - Marine Corps mispronounced

@frankdenardo8684 3 жыл бұрын

I only flew PSA a couple of times. In 1977, 1980, and in 1984. 1984 was the last time. I flew to San Diego for Marine Corps boot camp but was released two weeks after I arrived. I was not fit to join and I was sent home with $500, new clothes and a one way ticket to Oakland, California on United Airlines.

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

So I see you got a taste of the "Poor Sailors Airline". A lot of people involved in the military flew PSA since they were also based in San Diego and they were cheap. That's awesome you got to fly them a few years apart so you've probably seen them evolve as an airline. :)

@cindysue5474 3 жыл бұрын

Go over to Starboard 76s channel he just released a PSA video showing their jets in action good footage.

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

I think I will. I've seen his channel and he's always got some cool vintage aircraft footage!

@PeterKolta 3 жыл бұрын

I'd watch a video about Oasis Hong Kong Airlines too. I remember their 747s at Gatwick in 2006.

@marysidell7160 3 жыл бұрын

I was a flight attendant with PSA 1969-1977 and worked on the 727, 737, and L1011. Best company ever! Every flight every day was fun

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

That's so cool that you were a flight attendant with the legendary PSA! And quite the diverse fleet assignment too! :)

@wolfpacgaming5353 3 жыл бұрын

Thats so cool. I bet the boots and attire were a plus instead of pan-am wear

@Jeff_The_Weatherman 3 жыл бұрын

Mary, I saw the PSA L-1011 almost everyday in the summer of 1974, my grandparents had an apartment down the street from the famous "Hill" on Imperial Way. Had a whole view of the south side complex of LAX from the apartment picture window.

@Will-fn7bz 3 жыл бұрын

I watched the Air Disasters episodes of both the San Diego crash and the rampaging ex-employee murder suicide. Those were so heartbreaking. I can only imagine the trauma on what seems like a close-knit family of employees and staff.

@Jeff_The_Weatherman 3 жыл бұрын

@@Will-fn7bz Have you seen the Aeromexico crash (1986) in Cerritos CA story? Somewhat similar to PSA 182, but the Piper was flying into the TCA (Ironically which was actually established because of the PSA 182 crash). It was very hazy that day, I was in Hawthorne and decided not to fly that day because of the haze. Haze was not reported as an issue with the Aeromexico crash, at is occurred at 5.000 feet or so. I often wondered if it did. Also the PSA 1771 incident was indeed tragic - and avoidable - if the employee's ID was taken away immediately. Security at LAX those days was (pardon the pun), "lax". I worked for Delta the summer before, and I bypassed the metal detectors - per instructions from the screening crew! I would also walk in from the curb right behind the ticket counter and to the ramp with my backpack too. Even I thought this was very strange.

@cliff8669 3 жыл бұрын

PSA ... Poor Sailor Airline. I remember in April 1981, I had returned to the U.S. after a tour of duty in Japan as a U.S. Marine. I flew a PSA flight from LAX to Oakland. Once we reached cruse altitude, the Stewardess began to serve drinks. I was asked what I wanted. Told the Lady I was only 20 years old and couldn't drink alcohol. I fell in love that day. She looked at me with a beautiful smile and said "Honey You can wear that uniform, you can drink." I had a screwdriver. I still have one of the cocktail napkins from PSA in my scrapbook.

@Jalu3 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your service!

@cliff8669 3 жыл бұрын

@@Jalu3 Thank you.

@kathleenking47 2 жыл бұрын

This was BEFORE it was a prostate exam

@BBAKER22 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your service

@cliff8669 Жыл бұрын

@@BBAKER22 Semper Fi

@patrickevans5439 3 жыл бұрын

I worked for US Airways long after the PSA merger and you could still tell former PSA flight attendants cuz they were still the NICEST people to work with. Just the BEST people!

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

So glad to hear that PSA's culture still existed within USAir among all that's happened. A cheerful crew can really make a difference :)

@scherzva 3 жыл бұрын

I flew PSA on their last day of operation. I flew US Air while I was in undergrad, I am still a member of AAdvantage.

@WALTERBROADDUS 3 жыл бұрын

Useless Air employee? How did you survive that company?

@WALTERBROADDUS 3 жыл бұрын

@@kryztofkowalski4628 AA worse than Useless Air? Is that even possible?

@toddwetmore551 2 жыл бұрын

After the merger with PSA and Piedmont you could tell who was an ex PSA and Piedmont employee. We were just a lot nicer than the US Air Employees.

@MalcolmRuthven 3 жыл бұрын

In October 1961 I was on vacation in LA (lived in Missouri then) and a friend talked me into flying to SF for the weekend, so we flew up on PSA on Friday night for $12.50 on an Electra. I fell in love with the SF area that weekend so stayed for another week, then moved here a year and a half later. Still here. You could say that PSA had a large part in me being here.

@judycorriea7907 3 жыл бұрын

AC ~ I am proud to say I was a Flight Attendant with PSA 1974-1994 and flew the 727, 737, DC9-80, and the BAE 146. Best company and outstanding people I've ever worked with!! I had fun every time I went to work... wonderful memories, and I still have my (red & pink) Hot Pants Uniform, red boots, purse, and hat!!

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

Wow that is quite the diverse fleet assignment! It sounds like you had lots of fun during your time there. Which aircraft or route was your favorite to work on?

@moebaker9359 3 жыл бұрын

I’m a egypt air flight attendant who still flies frequently the Cairo-JFK and Cairo-Dulles route and I wish we could smile the same way PSA flight attendants did!

@AlexAnder-ut9es 3 жыл бұрын

The smile livery has got to be one of the most iconic ones ever. Modern liveries offer crazy complex designs with animals & sceneries but there's just something about that simple black line. Imagine it updated today in 3D colour, complete with pouty, plumped lips & movie-star teeth. horrifying or cute....who knows.

@n1vg 3 жыл бұрын

I remember that livery. We usually flew Continental because my aunt worked there, but the smiling planes were the ones I looked for at the airport when I was a kid. I was always a little disappointed when we never flew on a smiling plane.

@carolhutchinson7763 3 жыл бұрын

When they painted on the smile the windows looked like eyes and the nose became a nose.

@erict5234 3 жыл бұрын

Only a handfull of L1011s remain anywhere in the world that haven't been scrapped... One of them was originally a PSA bird (N10112) is now a museum in Kansas City.

@toemblem Жыл бұрын

I've flown on L1011s four times (two round trips) and they were great planes. I wish they had worked out their problems and were able to keep making them.

@ronparrish6666 Жыл бұрын

2 also went to WorldWays of Canada for a couple of years be fore the ceasd operations we remember the lower deck down by the nose wheel

@ronparrish6666 Жыл бұрын

2 also went to WorldWays of Canada for a couple of years be fore the ceasd operations we remember the lower deck down by the nose wheel

@ericsundell9978 3 жыл бұрын

Man, those 727's looked so good, esp. in PSA colors.

@erik_griswold 3 жыл бұрын

The famous Sully Sullenberg of Hudson River fame began his career at PSA

@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath 3 жыл бұрын

Who cares?

@carolhutchinson7763 3 жыл бұрын

@@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath: It's an interesting fact for people who had those planes with their painted on faces flying over their house everyday. If you don't like the video go away. You don't have to be here. Maybe you should be doing your homework.

@silasmarner7586 3 жыл бұрын

@@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath I do, bitch.

@n1vg 3 жыл бұрын

Flight 1771 was the one that was hijacked and crashed. It happened near where I live, and several years later I joined the local search and rescue team and a few of the veterans carried mental scars from that recovery. The plane crashed at about 770 MPH in rocky terrain. They described finding house keys snapped in half. It's amazing the cockpit voice recorder survived.

@noligirl1 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your service. My friends at LAX loaded up that flight. It was my night off. For many years it was reported as the act of "a disgruntled former PSA employee). I'd like to thank the creator of this video for getting the details correct. The entire backstory has never been told.

@michaelosgood9876 Жыл бұрын

That plane was in one piece until impact too, which is incredible. Seen Air Crash Investigation report

@LoydChampion 3 жыл бұрын

PSA was fantastic, and in fact, Southwest Airlines is patterned after PSA. When US Air purchased them, they screwed everything up, and handed Southwest Airlines the road to where they are today. Oh yea, loved the smile on the aircraft as I like a happy plane, and face it, the hot pants and go-go boot uniforms weren't bad either..

@paulsmith3820 3 жыл бұрын

Lamar Muse and Rollin King, who were the founders of Southwest Airlines, visited PSA to get ideas on how to build an intrastate airline in Texas. They took away numerous ideas. Initially, Muse and King ordered Lockheed Electra's, because that was PSA's main airplane at the time. But several Lockheed Electra's tore themselves to pieces, including a Braniff Electra over the skies of Texas. Southwest placed a hold on its Electra order. Subsequently, it decided on the Boeing 737-200, which proved to be a good decision. The rest is history.

@LoydChampion 3 жыл бұрын

@@paulsmith3820 It was also my understanding that 2 of the PSA executives took their severance check and went an joined Southwest after US Air let them go after taking over.

@paulsmith3820 3 жыл бұрын

You are correct. I am from Dallas. Over the years I had opportunities to meet some of the folks that were instrumental in founding Southwest. My first flight on Southwest was when they had just 3 airplanes. Lamar went to California to discuss with PSA how to start and operate an intrastate carrier. Out of those discussions came the ideas for the model that Southwest eventually developed. Originally, as I remember it, Southwest was going to buy or lease Lockheed Electra's, which was PSA's main airplane at the time. However, before they could complete the deal, Southwest was sued by American, Braniff, etc. because they refused to move to the new DFW International Airport. That delayed Southwest's start-up. While fighting off it legal problems, if I remember correctly, one of Braniff's Electra's broke up over the sky's of Texas and ruined the passenger's lunch plans. By the time the dust from the legal battles settled, as well as the fall out from the Electra crashes, Southwest decided on the Boeing 737-200, which was a brilliant decision.

@moriver3857 3 жыл бұрын

I am now an AA employee, and remember PSA from that era, being myself in the airline business since the early 80s. I have two or three coworkers that started back with PSA in the 70s and still working for AA, along with the many mergers and ups and downs. I particularly dislike deregulation and think deregulation destroyed the airlines, making them the Greyhound buses in the sky in every sense of the word. I'd be willing to pay more for a more spacious cabin, great service, attentive flight attendants and overall customer service.

@SoloPilot6 3 жыл бұрын

Most people wouldn't. It takes about the same time from my front door in Phoenix to the door I want to walk through in Los Angeles or Las Vegas whether I drive or go by air. If the price of flying is too high, a lot of those seats will fly empty (and this is why the Crony Express "high-speed" rail project in California was doomed before they broke ground). It's the "Greyhound" model that has worked for the airlines -- those which were able to evolve and ride out rough times. The old model just doesn't work anymore. In the 1940s, transportation was by train and ocean liner, but the passengers left both of those behind because flying was faster. People want transportation. So, the big boats evolved into resorts, and passenger rail is either commuter service or a more comfortable alternative to the bus to people who don't want to fly.

@KutWrite 2 жыл бұрын

If it had been true deregulation, we'd have all kinds of choices in price and amenities... even going "naked face." No, government rations the routes and makes flying so complex and expensive even some big guys had to consolidate and crush as many PAX into the hull as possible. Government makes everything worse.

@hscollier 3 жыл бұрын

When I went to work for Southwest Airlines in 1977 I was sent to Dallas Love Field for training. Our trainers told us that Pacific Southwest Airlines business model was the model for Southwest’s lighthearted persona, flight attendants friendliness, uniforms, and fare structure. This video is the only place I’ve seen that mentioned.

@karmadave 3 жыл бұрын

As kids, my sister and I frequently flew on PSA to visit our divorced parents. Our mom lived in NorCal and father in SoCal. I will never forget those iconic planes, with smiles and that back in those days you could visit the cockpit and talk to the pilots (not in flight though). A special thanks to the PSA flight attendants who we extremely friendly and always took good care of us 'unaccompanied minors'. Good times 😃

@pooryorick831 Жыл бұрын

I flew as an unaccompanied child between San Diego and Oakland many times going to visit grandparents. Those flights usually stopped at LAX too. PSA is the only Airline I flew on until I went to New York when I was 18. I have nothing but good memories of PSA. I think the last time I flew on PSA was in 1984. After that it was AirCal until American absorbed AirCal and USAir absorbed PSA.

@jvanhest 3 жыл бұрын

I’m a native San Diegan and grew up with PSA as our hometown airline. It was heartbreaking when US Air took over and we miss the smile to this day😢 Something interesting is I worked at San Diego International Airport back in the 90’s and even though PSA was long gone, their former hanger that doubled as their headquarters remained. The airport had taken the hanger over and converted it to a commuter terminal for a time. This meant I had access to the office portion of the building. Surprisingly many of the offices (including a whole floor if memory serves) were still stuck in time and it was very nostalgic for me walking the halls of the former PSA headquarters. I believe the airport has since finally renovated all of the office space so I’m glad I had the chance to visit when I did.

@jeffbutler6100 3 жыл бұрын

Loved those Electra's They would press you back in the seat on take-offs and they would climb like a homesick angel.

@davidcole333 3 жыл бұрын

I grew up seeing PSA 727's fly over my house every day while they were on final approach to SJC. When I graduated from Marine Corps boot camp in 1988, I flew a PSA BAe-146 home from SAN to SJC for 10 days of leave. That was the happiest flight of my life. I loved the planes with the smiles and I was very, very saddened when PSA 182 went down.

@WA_weather 3 жыл бұрын

I was young when PSA flew. I flew on them 1 time as a kid. And I miss the days of watching the old 146 from PSA fly into Vegas. In 2002, I worked for US Airways. The best people I ever worked with was a former PSA employee. And I mean the absolute best! The stories they shared were amazing too.

@randyp6370 3 жыл бұрын

Leave it to USSAir to ruin a perfectly good airline. I flew the MD-80 for USSAir out of PIT, the PSA guys and gals were a breath of fresh air to fly with compared to the US crews.

@3939michele 3 жыл бұрын

I loved flying PSA. As I remember Western also had the same kind of "fun to fly" attitude. Maybe this is why I love Southwest so much.😊

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

All the airlines that make flying "fun" are great since it adds personality. :D

@bonnwolff1890 3 жыл бұрын

When I was in Navy boot camp in San Diego, tech school and stationed at North Island, in 1980 I remember being told if we washed out we'd be sent home by "Poor Sailors Airline" and, being cheap was the deciding factor. Every time I went home to Oregon on leave it was on a 727. Still have a soft spot for those planes.

@philjohnson2611 3 жыл бұрын

AC Fantastic airline! I still have my laminated PSA luggage tags and my frequent flyer card. So sad when they disappeared. Stewardesses were the most gorgeous in the air!

@shepardbook 3 жыл бұрын

Back when you really want to sit in the aisle seat.

@kevinmalone3210 7 ай бұрын

Nah, Brannif had the hottest looking stewardesses.

@pamelaphelan4144 3 жыл бұрын

I was a Flight Attendant for US Airways from 1998-2001. I had a blast flying out of Charlotte, NC. I really enjoyed my time with them. Crews were fantastic and I even got a couple flights with Captain Sully. He is truly a wonderful person and a fantastic pilot!! ❤️✈️

@cris_261 3 жыл бұрын

Watching this video brought back memories of watching PSA jets throttle up and go thundering down the runway at Ontario International Airport. They kept company with the jets from American, United, Continental, and Hughes. Good times!

@manthony1956 3 жыл бұрын

First experienced PSA shortly after high school graduation. I think my first flight was San Jose to Burbank for $19. About ten years later, my job moved from Santa Clara to Chatsworth. I took many a Saturday morning flight home for the weekend with wonderful crews for about three years. The 727 is still my favorite.

@cyberi4a 3 жыл бұрын

I still miss PSA/Aircal today.

@jesusgarber2042 3 жыл бұрын

I used to fly out of LAX to SFO and back to LAX every Wednesday when i worked for Motown Records. 7:00 am up and 6:00 pm back. This was such a great airlines well managed and always friendly. You had families , College kids and Business people all fitting in together with no problems.

@fob1xxl 2 ай бұрын

All through the 60s and 70s and 80s. I flew PSA from L.A. to SAN JOSE, where my folks lived. They were great. It cost me $11.50 to fly in 1964. I was in my 20s, and they had the cutest and "hotest" flight attendants. They started the whole fashion look for flight attendants. They were known for the prettiest and friendliest girls in flight. Boy, have times changed !

@craigjackson2428 3 жыл бұрын

Very impressed with your KZfaq presentation. Remember the forerunner to Southwest Airlines. Collected timetables. Very accurate timeline of the 70s and 80s with PSA. Remember 1978 airline deregulation, PSA 182 and airline mergers of the 80s. After high school in the 80s, wanted to work for Piedmont Airlines. Piedmont was acquired along with PSA. After those acquisitions, AirCal going to American, Southwest expanded into intrastate California and downsized USAir back to the east coast. It is truly amazing to behold, American would later acquire USAirways. What a wild ride to no longer see forerunner interstate airline that was once PSA. Fond wonderful memories of a kid avgeek.

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your compliment! It's one thing to research all this on the internet, but to actually remember everything that's happened is another. It's been a crazy ride for airlines since deregulation. It's either "eat" or "be eaten by your competitor". At least we still have some retro liveries like American's PSA, America West, Air Cal and other cool planes.

@BpGregorynazianzuselder 9 ай бұрын

PSA was "my" airline for traveling up and down California. One of the best airlines I ever flew. Only time I didn't fly on PSA was when I had to go to Fresno and United had that route. I flew on the L-1011 at least twice, until it was taken out of service. I flew into San Diego 2 days after that horrible crash. And I flew on the Bae twice. The one which was brought down by that disgruntled employee carried the mother of one of my co-workers. Since I was flying for a company, I had to choose the lowest price I could get. Pan Am began offering fill-up fares way below the PSA fares. Fill up rights were a big part of Pan Am's ads in California because that San Francisco-Los Angeles corridor was very busy and until the fill-up permissions started, Pan Am was flying that route with only a half full plane, which was usually continuing on to Central or South America. PSA, the Poor Student's Airline!

@psa722 3 жыл бұрын

I still remember the jingle: "Catch our smile, our super smile, PSA!" I miss PSA and all of the former airlines such as Hughes Airwest, Midwest Express, North Central, Republic, Northwest, Western. I have flown a lot of airlines, but there are not as many airlines as before, and now days, especially because of the virus, flying just Ain't as fun as it used to be.

@cindysue5474 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah Hughes and Western out of Phx.

@ginnyhowery2681 2 жыл бұрын

One time, i was returning from Japan. I had been in the air close to 24 hours. My Navy uniform was soiled and wrinkled. Flying from Hawaii i arrived at SFO late in the night. I was going to LA. I had no reservations for LA as i was at the wrong airport. Went i went to the PSA counter and told them what had happened, they said the last flight to LA was full. And this was at midnight. They told me to go down to the PSA gate with my seabag and wait. After everyone boarded. The stewardess grabbed me up with my bag, put in the crew galley seat and away we went. Loved PSA and how they helped sailors.

@RandallCarrierINC 3 жыл бұрын

We remember getting in line around 10:30pm for their Midnight Flyer from SFO to LAX. The fare was $10.85. All standby and you paid on board.

@SFPhilo 3 жыл бұрын

Did the LAX to SFO, was one of 4 passengers on that flight with 3 FA's; that's when they were still wearing the hot pants!

@RandallCarrierINC 3 жыл бұрын

@@SFPhilo We usually flew on Friday night, always full and crazy. We loved it.

@darrensmith867 3 жыл бұрын

That was a really enjoyable video to watch about an airline that really interests me. Thankyou for making and sharing it with us

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

@JetWashSanDiego 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video! As a kid I always want to work for PSA, come on, it was based in SAN. Got my A&P at age 18, couldn't get a job (airlines just deregulated) did 4 years Navy as an a/c electrician and the dream job was waiting for me late 1986 for PSA. For some reason I didn't make the 3 month probation & I was heartbroken but it was the best thing to ever happen to me. I started my own a/c maintenance company called Jet Wash and I was the only freelance mechanic at SAN for 10 straight years. My company also did all the aircraft exterior washes for UAL, Alaska, Aloha, Hawaiian & Frontier all at SAN. Thank you PSA! (I did love my 3 months there!)

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

That's quite the story! It's amazing how events in our life guide us to where we are now, and how what we thought we wanted wasn't our true place in life. Thanks so much for sharing your unique origin story! Haven't heard something like that in a while :)

@michae8jackson378 3 жыл бұрын

I flew for the regional PSA from 04-08. Loved flying for them! CRJ700s and 200s. They have 900s now too! So much fun, great memories!

@BrandonTheWarriorPrince 11 ай бұрын

I just got hired With them as A Flight Attendant

@doug9066 3 жыл бұрын

I still have PSA flight schedules, also with the "SMILE" on aircraft made the airline unique.

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

That's awesome

@lawrenceakini9507 3 жыл бұрын

I had loved PSA. The smile on the aircraft was special.

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

It was quite unique and iconic. The only other planes that had smiles on them were some USAir/US Airways planes when the mechanics painted them on as a joke :)

@frankdenardo8684 3 жыл бұрын

The smileliners

@greateraviationgl91 3 жыл бұрын

"So you see, that's where the trouble begins" *Shows PSA smile* "That smile..." "That damn smile"

@espeemike3698 3 жыл бұрын

I started my airline career with PSA on 12-8-86 in San Diego. That was the day the merger with UsAir was announced! I reported to the supervisor, and on his desk was a copy of the newspaper with with big bold type “PSA SOLD”. I almost said thanks but no thanks, and go back to ask for my old job back.

@irishharmon 3 жыл бұрын

In the late 70's early 80's when I was in the USN we called them the "Poor Sailors Airline" flew many times with them. They were a great airline to fly on and a huge shout out to the crews of PSA really wonderful people. Nothing but fond memories of PSA.

@MichaelJones-uw8gi 3 жыл бұрын

Flew psa regularly back in 70's. When in navy bootcamp they flew from Lindbergh field. 727 was awesome aircraft

@cliff8669 3 жыл бұрын

MCRD San Diego 1979. My barracks faced Lindbergh Field. I remember being on fire watch and watching them take off and land.

@arthurkallansrud1950 3 жыл бұрын

I flew on PSA all the times I was stationed at Travis AFB.

@brianna_lynch 3 жыл бұрын

When my aunt was a kid, Pacific Southwest Airlines was her favorite airline.

@encinobalboa 3 жыл бұрын

US Air took over PSA and pissed away all of the goodwill this great airline earned. Thankfully, the PSA way lives on in Southwest Airlines and IMO is what makes SW so successful.

@pals_312 2 ай бұрын

I really love this video! You explained the airline well! You kept my attention for the whole 14 minutes, great job!

@bretbow88 3 жыл бұрын

AC Terrific video Andrew! This is the first time I've seen one of your videos. Your narration was excellent, great voice too. I flew PSA quite a few times in the 70's & 80's, but my favorite was Air California/AirCal, (from SFO to SNA). I would love to see you do a video on them.

@motorTranz 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent documentary. Thank you.

@jameswaters3939 3 жыл бұрын

I think you meant that PSA was INTRA-state, meaning all within 1 state. INTER-state is like the interstate highways - in more than 1 state. After de-regulation, it did become interstate with flights to Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. For a while, they had the largest west coast market share, but after US Airways bought the company, they only flew to the coast from inland destinations with zero flights up & down the coast.

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah your right, thanks for pointing that out! Guess I missed that bit when editing the script. When USAir bought out PSA, their route structures didn't align, since USAir tended to serve destinations from a hub-and-spoke method rather than PSA's direct route method. Adopting PSA's original system completely would have been possible, but likely very costly.

@lynnpoelman7230 3 жыл бұрын

That's true. What a shame they had to merge it. I loved working there. I was at the gate 34 in SF as well as the counter. I liked our pink and hot pink uniforms withe the red gogo boots better than the stews. Lynn Duckworth (at the time)

@ryanbarr4726 2 жыл бұрын

@@andrewsaviation7792 You're*

@hawaiianiceberg439 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for doing these videos. I've been binge watching these for a few days :p

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

I'm so glad you enjoyed them that much. You just made my week :3

@toomanyhobbies2011 3 жыл бұрын

Took a PSA 727 flight from LA to Albuquerque. We were slow to get to the runway and very slow to disembark. In those days the smoking section was at the rear of the plane, and the variations of PSA coming from the passengers in the rear were hilarious, Pretty Slow Airline and others... Took a PSA flight from Ontario to Las Vegas in a BAE 146. Sweat little aircraft, just walk up the short folding steps from the tarmac. Both of these aircraft had smiles painted on them and both flights were inexpensive.

@robm3074 3 жыл бұрын

Love your video. And I have signed up to receive future ones. Thank you for the good quality.

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

I'm happy to hear it! I'll have some more videos coming shortly! Welcome aboard :)

@brookeking8559 3 жыл бұрын

AC I flew PSA only a few times, and each time was excellent, even the short hops between LAX and John Wayne Orange County. When US Airways existed, I noticed a lot of crew members’ name badges had the logos of predecessor airlines on them, PSA, USAir, and America West, along with US Airways’ logo. It’s my understanding that US Airways bought American - not the other way around - and took the better known brand like when Norwest Bank bought Wells Fargo and took the latter name. The description mentions PSA started as an “interstate” airline, which the narration stated repeatedly. It’s a common slip of the tongue and sometimes an erroneous autocorrection. PSA started as an intrastate airline, as did Southwest. That enabled them both to thrive and compete in their large home markets without federal Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) interference during the CAB era. CAB set fares and routes for interstate flights, which prevented creation of low-cost interstate airlines until Jimmy Carter ended the CAB.

@markodom3841 3 жыл бұрын

You’re right that American technically bought USAir and had the surviving name but I read where USAir was financially stronger than AA and with the merger more of its BOD ended up running the merged AA BOD than former American board members.

@juancarlosgomez-montejano2961 3 жыл бұрын

I loved PSA as a kid. I remember it was the airline for the state of California. USAir destroyed that and like upgraded the service serving a full fledged meal service on small flights like Sacramento To San Diego. I also loved how you cloud to small secondary airports as well. Burbank, Orange Co, concord, Eureka, Palm Springs, Lake Tahoe and Sanoma

@andyolivares8692 3 жыл бұрын

I flew PSA once, from LAX to SAN in July, 1985....nice memories!

@aggiesjc 3 жыл бұрын

It would have been fun to have seen the lower-deck lounges that the two PSA TriStars had, which was normally where the galley would have been. It was a very unusual configuration, and it made it hard for PSA to convince other airlines to take them when they decided to get rid of them.

@tpolerex7282 3 жыл бұрын

It’s amazing that you could fly a wide-body from SF to SoCa, now it’s a 737 from Hawaii to Maine and everywhere in between.

@shepardbook 3 жыл бұрын

Hell, I remember flying LA to Chicago. On a 747 (yes, it was THAT long ago, I’m that old). These days, you better be happy with a 737 or 320-series.

@belindashaw1615 6 ай бұрын

Loved PSA and flew regularly while working out of LA in the early 80s. I still have a treasured laminated PSA luggage label

@detlefkurpanek 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent presentation! Thank you.

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@Bellasie1 Жыл бұрын

AC Great video on a great iconic airline I wish still existed.

@Sean-C 3 жыл бұрын

AC Love the video....remembered flying PSA from San Francisco to San Diego in 1986. Always wondered what happened to the airline. Now I know.

@jeffrodrigues3176 3 жыл бұрын

Loved PSA , great memories at San Jose! Miss them

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

RIP PSA 😞 . Their contributions to the airline industry will never be forgotten.

@fe6523 Жыл бұрын

I have a interview with PSA,very soon!! Thank you for sharing!!!

@SteveH98264 3 жыл бұрын

As a kid growing up in California I frequently flew PSA. As an air traffic controller (1978-2010) PSA was one of my favorite airlines to work. I worked @ LAX around the time PSA was phasing out operations. I asked a US Air crew headed to San Diego if they would participate in a questionable operation behind a B747 departing the south complex of which they agreed to. As the US Air was rolling on RWY 24L they reported the airbourne B747 in sight. When I commented "Must be an old PSA crew" US Air replied "Got that shit right"! It was a sad day for most controllers when PSA ceased operations.

@PhoenixStarman 3 жыл бұрын

Having the fortunate opportunity to work with our PSA family I must say thank you for your fine presentation. One particular note I enjoyed was not widely known, Southwest's endeavor to copy everything about us, except our smiles of course which continue to live on many of us today.

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

I'm so happy you enjoyed the video! Even though Southwest pretty much "stole" the business model, it just goes to show how successful an airline like PSA can be.

@markodom3841 3 жыл бұрын

Also, Herb Kellerher knew that Texas was probably the only state besides California big enough and with enough markets to handle that same intrastate unregulated business model.

@BobbyGeneric145 3 жыл бұрын

Andrew, you are doing a great job! You'll definitely get more subs.

@purpsage 11 ай бұрын

During the early 70s, I was living in San Jose, California from 6th through 8th grade of school. I assume there was no way one could do this today, but we as kids would ride our bicycles to the SJC Airport! We would hang out, just outside the perimeter fence on the glide path for the landing aircraft. It was so exciting to watch these planes flying so low that you could almost read "Goodyear" on their tires. PSA was flying their 727 Jets back then with the big smiles, and perhaps it was part of their good natured culture that when one any of the PSA jets were landing, the pilots, who could no doubt see us kids on the ground would always rock their wings from side to side as a way to say hello! Thanks PSA for adding to the many things that made it great to be a kid in those days!

@CaptainHarris-ip2kg 7 ай бұрын

Used to fly them everywhere. Great airline, minus that one crash in San Diego. Excellent service, on time flights, good staff, comfortable seats ... wall paper had California highlights and hot spots. Soft lighting too. Very comfortable.

@Kwameking1 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent!Thank you

@michaelgarcia2050 3 жыл бұрын

Not sure about the timing of the phasing out of the Electras. I flew on a PSA Electra to Tahoe around 1977 or so. They had the 727's with the smiley faces at that time, and the Electra had the same exact paint desgin as the 727's. They were using Electras at that airport because the local residents believed they were quieter than standard jetliners. Turns out they were just as loud if not louder.

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

PSA had them for a while then got rid of them, the a few years later they were brought back solely for Tahoe service.

@gloriaruth573 3 жыл бұрын

I miss PSA! I can remember visiting friends in Los Angeles. We went to the beach and I enjoyed watching the smiles fly overhead as they depart at LAX.

@johnsymonstcu 3 жыл бұрын

I remember my Dad saying in the late '50's and early '60's that PSA was quite popular with the many Navy personnel stationed in California because of their low prices, dependable service and great cabin crews. Many people referred to PSA as the Poor Sailors Airline as a term of endearment not in a derogatory way. New subscriber here. This video was quite enjoyable and convinced me to subscribe. Looking forward to your upcoming vlogs. Have a good week and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. ❤🛫❄☃️🎄🙏🌎

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much and welcome aboard! You're absolutely right saying that PSA was popular with the Navy. Not just because of the reasons you mentioned, but also because they had operating bases/hubs at many Californian cities with Military bases (ex: San Diego). The Navy and the public gave PSA so many nick-names it's quite humorous.

@KingCommander1000 3 жыл бұрын

AC. Great video! Cool to see the 319 in that livery.

@islava81 3 жыл бұрын

AC! Nicely done, sir!

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you kindly, so glad you liked it!

@brianl1495 3 жыл бұрын

"AC". I've flown on the 319 with the PSA livery years ago. Was really a fun airline to go with back in the day.

@marksmith4582 3 жыл бұрын

AC! I just found your channel and subscribed! I follow several channels similar to yours. Some are flight vloggers. At least one is a pilot who is now a captain on a regional airline. I remember the PSA brand myself however never flew on them. I have flown on Ozark Airlines, Mississippi Valley Airlines (MVA), and Northwest Airlines. Really glad I found your channel! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'm glad to subscribe to your channel! Always my personal best for you and your channel! Mark in Iowa.

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your wonderful comment! I'm so happy you enjoyed. I remember flying with Northwest Airlines too. Was sad to see them go even though they just emerged from bankruptcy. Feel free to stick around and have a wonderful holiday season!

@brianmorton6121 3 жыл бұрын

Was the first airline I ever flew on when I was a child. Still remember that day was Fresno to LA and on to San Diego.

@philb1595 3 жыл бұрын

PSA was our Favorite Airline , I miss them alot

@landocalrisian2014 Жыл бұрын

Very nice presentation 👍🏽

@markodom3841 3 жыл бұрын

AC. Great report. I became interested in airlines in ‘66 as a kid and remember the uniqueness of PSA flying jets within one state on high frequency routes. Elsewhere in the country such routes were by feeder carriers using Convair twin props or turboprops. I also liked the scene in the 1968 movie Bullit where Steve McQueen chases the bad guy at night across San Francisco airport. He dodged a few Pan Am 707s and runs beside a PSA 727 as it starts its takeoff roll. A classic movie scene.

@PepperTreeVilla 3 жыл бұрын

AC I remember taking a flight from OAK to LAX on June 6, 1983. I was just a kid, but I remember the smile on our PSA jet. I had an uncle that was a mechanic for PSA as well. Good times.

@twanohguy 3 жыл бұрын

Really like your work on defunct airlines! Hope you will do more on Hughes Air West, Mohawk, Air Florida, National, Capital and others. I worked for Hughes and United. Great experience!

@craigpinkava6256 3 жыл бұрын

Great video! Living here in San Jose for nearly all my life, I still remember from the mid-seventies to around 1987, Silicon Valley residents were always with either PSA(they also owned a radio station here in San Jose for a while) or with AirCal when they flew within California or the west coast! (Hughes AirWest was just a afterthought in SJC)

@peterodda4094 Жыл бұрын

I remember every time my family flew from San Francisco to San Diego in the 70's we always flew PSA. My first flight ever was on PSA. I still remember the plastic toy pilots wings they used to give out

@GreenBake 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks-AC

@Liz_in_the_OC Жыл бұрын

PSA was part of my childhood and it meant going to Disneyland from SF for me. Very fond memories

@hubbardhowe9620 3 жыл бұрын

AC Took my first airplane ride on PSA back in 1963 (L-188 service from San Diego to Oakland). And on one very memorable flight from Oakland to San Diego via LAX in 1965 I sat in the jump seat when we landed in San Diego.

@fishead1967 2 жыл бұрын

My dad worked for PSA I remember living in stockton manteca lodi...I flew alot as a kid.... Stockton airport Sacramento metropolitan... I loved that airline...my dad started by ground crew and luggage.. Or throwing bags as my dad called it.. then he was in that passenger service ticket agent until they worked all the way up to he was a supervisor passenger service.. I remember US air buying PSA.. mini bikes to San Diego I remember that much I remember LAX I remember John Wayne I also remember lindy air port....brought back alot of memories...

@pourindiesel 3 жыл бұрын

Great work!

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Appreciate it :)

@JohnnyLongbow 3 жыл бұрын

Working on a novel set in the 1970s where a major character works for PSA. This was useful to me.

@andrewsaviation7792 3 жыл бұрын

Well I'm glad to hear that. Good luck with your work!

@h.p.oliver8666 3 жыл бұрын

During the late 1960s and early 1970s my work required almost weekly round trips between San Francisco and Los Angeles. I always flew PSA, for their low fairs, on-time service, and their great employees. Later I did some production work for their FM radio station in Sacramento. Whether flying with them or working for them, PSA was number one in my book. Now we have Southwest with terrible service, overbooking, cattle car interiors, and uncaring employees. Today, I actually make the 7 hour drive to LA from San Francisco rather than subject myself Southwest. I miss you, PSA.

@johnbe4276 Жыл бұрын

I flew PSA several times between LAX->SFO in the 1970’s; in 727 and L-1011 aircraft. Around 1975 PSA offered discounted Electra flights from (then) Hollywood/Burbank to SFO. So I also have some L-188 time. Great airline!

@gman83090 3 жыл бұрын

PSA name still exists it is a regional airline and it flys under American eagle PSA Airlines is an American regional airline headquartered at Dayton International Airport in Vandalia, Ohio,[3] that flies under the American Eagle brand for American Airlines. PSA is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group.

@MICHAEL-vi4pj 3 жыл бұрын

I remember that smile used to fly lax to Las

@DiamondAviator4 Жыл бұрын

PSA had a nice livery, but it was so sad watching these smiling planes crash in 1978 and 1987 :(

@daniellilly7591 3 жыл бұрын

AC PSA was a great airline!

@narcosis70 2 жыл бұрын

I went to Navy Boot Camp in San Diego in 1970. We were next door to the Marines and beyond their base was Lindbergh Field. Was very taunting to be restricted to camp there for training and seeing airliners all day, many of them PSA. Got a little comfort in 1971 though, when I flew PSA from San Francisco to Ontario to visit relatives in SoCal. I remember them handing out the tickets and thinking the experience was more like a bus ride than an airliner. So laid back. Really neat airline.

@ethansaviation2672 3 жыл бұрын

Love this livery on the l'1011. Sadly I will never get to see an L'1011 because all of them except one is scrapped, why couldn't a museum keep one😭

@JohnMurrayOP 11 ай бұрын

I’m 55 and as a child grew up in Northern California. My dad worked for a large engineering firm and he flew PSA for business. When we moved overseas we would come back to California frequently. Iirc we could buy tickets on day of travel at vending machines for tickets between SFO and LAX. I thought that was so cool! No other airline offered that