As the Douglas DC-8-61 operating Delta Air Lines Flight DL188 taxied in at Atlanta Airport, Georgia (IATA: ATL/ICAO: KATL), on May 16, 1972, I had already learned several 'airline truths' at the ripe age of 19. The day before, I had gone for an interview at Dallas Love Field, Texas, to become a Delta ramp agent (my plan being to work and continue college at Southern Methodist University). Truth one was that Delta truly was the 'fifth' armed service. Forewarned by my father, I had shorn my long college-length hair the day before, but at the end of the interview with the local station manager I was advised to get a haircut before leaving for Atlanta the next morning and my final interview.
展开▼
