Connie Marcum Wong | + Follow Poet |
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Ual 747 Maiden Voyage

How I recall the magnificent sight
Of my first view of the new Jumbo Jet.
Boeing took such pride in its maiden flight,
That it could not fly, was the standing bet.

Majestic it rolled out on the runway
Revving its engines for its take off roll...
Like a great bird ascending the skyway
To cheers and applause the crowd did extol.

Fear gripped my stomach which I did battle.
When we leveled off my queasiness  eased...
Chicago bound, our flight from Seattle 
With four hundred sixteen passengers pleased.

In my thirty four years flown I must say,
None can compare to the cheers heard that day!

8-18-16

Note: I was a Stewardess, one of sixteen crewmembers, on 
UAL's Maiden flight from Seattle to Chicago in 1971, a four 
hour flight. We were trained in mockups and none of us had 
ever been on the Boeing 747 until that day. Our service was 
such us mess, but everyone was so excited to be on such a 
huge wide body aircraft that no one cared or complained. 
The applause and cheers when we took off and landed were 
deafening.

N/A Sonnet contest
Sponsor Eve Roper

Copyright © Connie Marcum Wong | Year Posted 2016

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John Watt Date: 8/27/2020 10:03:00 PM Very significant day in your career, and it's really wonderful to see you have committed it into poetic legacy. I am inspired by this to do more of the same for my significant stories. Wonderful told in sonnet form, and the author's note is so insightful. Hugs ~ John Login to Reply Connie Marcum Wong Date: 8/28/2020 10:44:00 AM I miss that big bird John. I enjoy sharing poems like this with family to make them aware of my history in a job I loved. Thank you very much my friend. Blessings xxoo

Carrie Richards Date: 8/23/2016 8:10:00 PM How wonderful to hear this part of your life's story, Connie. It must have been thrilling to be part of something bigger than ourselves !! Memories to keep forever !! Login to Reply

John Fleming Date: 8/22/2016 4:31:00 PM You have had a full and rewarding life, Connie. Being part of that magnificent planes Maiden Flight is truly something to be rightly proud of - well done you! I am honoured that you regard me as a friend, Connie...Truly I am! My very best as always...And my dearest wishes. :) john Login to Reply

Ravi Sathasivam Date: 8/22/2016 2:12:00 AM Excellent. You had a great job here. Your experience make me excited. Thanks for sharing it. Login to Reply

Nette Onclaud Date: 8/21/2016 9:52:00 AM you are lucky to have been part of this maiden flight, connie... i like the exciting mood of your piece and you took me there!..huggs Login to Reply

Lynn Marie Date: 8/21/2016 3:38:00 AM Wow Connie...you are part of history...how cool...what incredible memories you must have :-) your sonnet really captures the initial uneasiness and thrill of that first flight. I love your notes..your stories surely are magnificent :-) Thank you for sharing this...I am thrilled by your experiences.:-) blessings lynn Login to Reply

Afzal Nusker Date: 8/21/2016 12:17:00 AM Well a good memory has been revived in the form of a beautiful poem. Best wishes. Login to Reply Connie Marcum Wong Date: 8/21/2016 12:59:00 AM Thank you very much Afzal. ; )

Arthur Vaso Date: 8/20/2016 7:34:00 PM Wow, so nice to read a little history! I bet the service and meals were way better than!!! Lovely poem! Login to Reply Connie Marcum Wong Date: 8/21/2016 12:56:00 AM We served Dom. Champagne, caviar and port and variety of cheeses, not to mention the main courses, all served on fine china and crystal. It was like a cruise ship in the air in First class. Coach had a choice of three different meals and they had more leg room. Passengers came dressed with class. We wore gloves. Travel in todays world is very different. ; )

Andrea Dietrich Date: 8/20/2016 6:14:00 PM wow, Connie, you made history!! What a cool time to remember. Login to Reply Connie Marcum Wong Date: 8/21/2016 12:48:00 AM Yes Andrea...I have a lot of stories to tell my children and grandkids. Thanks. ; )

Viv Wigley Date: 8/20/2016 5:53:00 PM What a great job you had, Connie. My first 747 flight was a Continental Airlines to Miami in 1988. Being an airplane fan, I was in awe. Where I live, the Emirates Airbus A380's come over low on their approach to Manchester, but I still have a soft spot for the 'Jumbo'. Great poem. Viv x Login to Reply Connie Marcum Wong Date: 8/21/2016 12:47:00 AM That airplane is a dream to fly Viv. The most important feature was a feeling of having space around you. High ceilings and two isles. We also had a bar at the back of the airplane where passengers could stand and stretch their legs. I often worked in first class in the upper deck up the spiral staircase. I could work up there alone serving my 16 passengers. Flying certainly isn't like that anymore, most of the frills are gone sadly. It is still a magnificent bird. Thank you very much Viv. ; )

Daniel Turner Date: 8/20/2016 4:46:00 PM A well written sonnet Mrs Connie. So you're a celebrity of sorts? It must have really been a thrill! I enjoyed reading about your history making flight. Login to Reply Connie Marcum Wong Date: 8/20/2016 5:10:00 PM That big bird weighed so many tons we were all in fear it would not get off the ground. There isn't a more beautiful plane still. I always worked first class and got to meet many celebrities because so many came to Hawaii on holiday...but the real star was this aircraft! Thank you Daniel. ; )