Continental Air Lines was little more than a glorified local airline in 7950. The backbone of the fleet comprised 12 Douglas DC-3s, supported by five pressurized Convair 240s. Although considered a trunk air carrier, CAL's route map gave a different impression. Instead of fiying long-haul routes between major cities with four-engine equipment like its contemporaries, 'Gooney Birds' hopped their way across Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, serving places like La Junta, Dodge City, Hobbs, and Big Spring. Las Vegas on CAL's network was in New Mexico, not Nevada.The Civil Aeronautics Board, which oversaw every facet of a certificated airline's operation, had not been generous. Continental's premier route was between Denver and Kansas City, a 539mi (867km)-long nonstop segment flown with the Convair-Liners.
展开▼
