Joan Prince Crandall, often regarded as the aviation industry’s longest-serving flight attendant, continues to embrace her career’s glamour even after over 66 years in the skies. For Crandall, serving as a flight attendant has always been more than just a job; it has opened doors to new experiences and global travel, transforming her life since she began her journey in 1959 with Pacific Airlines.
Recalling her early days, Crandall highlights the chic uniforms and the emphasis on service that characterized the era when flight attendants, then known as stewardesses, were often chosen for their glamorous appearance. She vividly remembers her first flight on a Douglas DC-3, a small aircraft that carried only 24 passengers. “The airlines wanted young women who had a glamorous look,” she reminisces.
However, the profession has evolved significantly over the decades. As technology advanced, so did the roles and responsibilities of flight attendants, who now play a critical role in passenger safety. While they still serve drinks and meals, they are also essential in emergency situations, guiding passengers to safety during challenging times.
Through numerous mergers and transitions—from Pacific Airlines to Delta Air Lines—Crandall has witnessed the industry’s transformation firsthand. Based in Washington state, her career has not been without hurdles. The late 1950s and 1960s were times of strict scrutiny for women in the workforce, with many airlines enforcing policies concerning appearance, weight, and even marriage. Crandall acknowledges the pressures and limitations of her earlier years but notes that she was fortunate to avoid many of them.
Despite the challenges, the allure of the skies captured her—and many women like her—for the long haul, not just for a couple of years as was the perception. The flight attendant profession began in the 1930s, primarily employing nurses who provided care and assistance to passengers. Over the years, flight attendants have gained more respect and a better compensation structure, with average salaries now around $70,980.
Crandall recalls pivotal moments, such as the transition from propeller planes to jets, which allowed for higher, faster air travel. She fondly remembers the excitement surrounding the introduction of jet engines and the subsequent improvements in service and capacity.
A landmark moment for women in the workforce came with the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which, with the inclusion of the amendment prohibiting sex discrimination, offered crucial protections to female flight attendants. “It changed life for you and me and women in the country,” she states, emphasizing how it allowed women to marry and have children without risking their jobs.
As she prepares to retire, Crandall is passing the torch to a new generation of flight attendants, such as Alise Broussard, who recently completed her training with Delta. Their meeting felt like a nostalgic moment for Crandall, who recognized in Broussard the same passion that fueled her career decades ago.
Today, despite the rapid technological changes, many fundamental aspects of the job remain—particularly safety and the cherished connection between attendants and passengers. Crandall notes the increased demands of the role; modern aircraft, like the Delta Airbus A350-900, can carry significantly more passengers than the old propeller-driven planes of her early career.
Looking to the future, Crandall plans to write a book and continue her travels, pursuing her love for exploring destinations like Paris and Hong Kong. “I’ve been lucky,” she reflects, acknowledging her good health and continued joy in the profession—though she will soon trade in her responsibilities for leisure, embarking on new adventures without the duty of taking drink orders or conducting safety briefings.
