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Home › Entertainment

Mary Wells | 07/01/2008 12:00 am

Mary Wells: Frequent Fliers Make Fast Friends

By Mary Wells RSS
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In response to: Have you ever met a stranger on a plane with whom you've formed a relationship?
Mary Wells

My husband ran airlines and created hotels around them. When we married he had taken control of Braniff and my agency had the joy of redoing the entire airline. It was one of the best jobs I ever had. But best of all, as Braniff was the air transport for the Dallas Cowboys, my daughters got to know each one of them and they were adorable with my girls. We were always on the same planes. One of my daughter’s friends’ father was the coach, so Katy, my daughter, developed a loyalty to the Cowboys that she has never lost. She takes her children from New Jersey to Dallas for the big games and even her children know all there is to know about each player.

My own cutest experience was on a flight to Ireland from London. The man seated next to me was curious about the books I was reading because I was in the process of furnishing my new home in Dublin. He told me the books were all wrong and I would be disappointed.

He took out a notepad and started with “Kitchen”: and then moved on to each area of the house making notes while talking to me in detail about each place he suggested as THE place for great dishes, a refrigerator, sheets, slipcovers, top quality furniture, dog accessories, wine and wine coolers – and as he gave me advice he also gave me wonderful funny gossipy stories about other houses in Dublin. He was absolutely enchanting and I would have followed him anywhere.  As we were leaving and shaking hands and I was thanking him, he twinkled – yes twinkled – and said, "Tell your decorator you were advised on the plane by Bertie Ahern — and he really knows the best of Ireland." I haven’t seen Bertie since that day. Bertie, wherever you are, hopefully someone will pull this up onto your screen. Thank you. You were 100 percent right.    

Read more about: Relationships, Transportation, Travel

3 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Tick Pyne
Dear Mary, Bertie Ahern, the former Irish prime minister? THAT Bertie Ahern? Again and again I am knocked out in these blogs by what truly sublime adventures you’ve had. Did I say “had”? I’m sure you are still having them!
By Tick Pyne on 07/01/2008 5:25 am
Lucinda Herbert
I wonder whether you knew who he was at the time.
By Lucinda Herbert on 10/22/2008 9:46 pm
Lady Gator
Mary Wells — You have brought back so many wonderful memories for me. I WAS one of those Braniff (Hostesses) — Flight Attendants now — when you totally transformed Braniff Airlines from a Ho-Hum airline into THE greatest airline. I loved the uniforms — the bubble hats — and the rest of that “never seen before — never seen since” revolution. Oh, wow! We had such fun. I used to love hearing, over the loud speaker “Braniff Airlines Chocolate Flight is ready to board - or blue - or red, etc. Everything was color coordinated — since I was a red-head I usually had the Chocolate flight. There are so many stories I could tell. And, I had the opportunity to fly the Dallas Cowboys to many of their games. They were such great guys — and, like your daughter, Katy, I have always been a Dallas Cowboy fan. In fact we have just returned from attending a game in Dallas not long ago. In fact I met my husband (47 years ago) on one of my flights. He was in his Navy Dress uniform — the best looking, sexiest guy I had ever seen. He would go on to fly jets off a carrier. So, we will always have something to remember about Braniff. For years, several of us, in my flight class, had a reunion every 3-5 years in Dallas. One of the requirements was that we had to wear our old uniform. I’m still proud to say I can still get into that uniform!!!! I saved my wings and pinned them on my daughter when she finished flight school for Delta many years later. I flew for Braniff until it’s demise. I’ll never forget the tears when we knew that we would never be able to fly for that proud airline again. I want you to know that many of us will never forget Harding Lawrence and how he fought for Braniff. He was my hero. I’ll always remember his wonderful smile and his concern for all his employees. Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts and my beautiful memories.
By Lady Gator on 10/23/2008 10:39 am