What Happened To Pacific Southwest Airlines? "The World's Friendliest Airline"

[@andrewsaviation7792]

Comment your PSA experiences down below! More videos on defunct airlines coming soon! *ERRORS I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF* (My apologies): - INTRAstate not INTERstate - BAe146 not BEa146 - Marine Corps mispronounced

[@frankdenardo8684]

I only flew PSA a couple of times. In 1977, 1980, and in 1984. 1984 was the last time. I flew to San Diego for Marine Corps boot camp but was released two weeks after I arrived. I was not fit to join and I was sent home with $500, new clothes and a one way ticket to Oakland, California on United Airlines.

[@andrewsaviation7792]

So I see you got a taste of the "Poor Sailors Airline". A lot of people involved in the military flew PSA since they were also based in San Diego and they were cheap. That's awesome you got to fly them a few years apart so you've probably seen them evolve as an airline. :)

[@cindysue5474]

Go over to Starboard 76s channel he just released a PSA video showing their jets in action good footage.

[@andrewsaviation7792]

I think I will. I've seen his channel and he's always got some cool vintage aircraft footage!

[@PeterKolta]

I'd watch a video about Oasis Hong Kong Airlines too. I remember their 747s at Gatwick in 2006.

[@marysidell7160]

I was a flight attendant with PSA 1969-1977 and worked on the 727, 737, and L1011. Best company ever! Every flight every day was fun

[@andrewsaviation7792]

That's so cool that you were a flight attendant with the legendary PSA! And quite the diverse fleet assignment too! :)

[@wolfpacgaming5353]

Thats so cool. I bet the boots and attire were a plus instead of pan-am wear

[@Jeff_The_Weatherman]

Mary, I saw the PSA L-1011 almost everyday in the summer of 1974, my grandparents had an apartment down the street from the famous "Hill" on Imperial Way. Had a whole view of the south side complex of LAX from the apartment picture window.

[@Will-fn7bz]

I watched the Air Disasters episodes of both the San Diego crash and the rampaging ex-employee murder suicide. Those were so heartbreaking. I can only imagine the trauma on what seems like a close-knit family of employees and staff.

[@Jeff_The_Weatherman]

@@Will-fn7bz Have you seen the Aeromexico crash (1986) in Cerritos CA story? Somewhat similar to PSA 182, but the Piper was flying into the TCA (Ironically which was actually established because of the PSA 182 crash). It was very hazy that day, I was in Hawthorne and decided not to fly that day because of the haze. Haze was not reported as an issue with the Aeromexico crash, at is occurred at 5.000 feet or so. I often wondered if it did. Also the PSA 1771 incident was indeed tragic - and avoidable - if the employee's ID was taken away immediately. Security at LAX those days was (pardon the pun), "lax". I worked for Delta the summer before, and I bypassed the metal detectors - per instructions from the screening crew! I would also walk in from the curb right behind the ticket counter and to the ramp with my backpack too. Even I thought this was very strange.

[@patrickevans5439]

I worked for US Airways long after the PSA merger and you could still tell former PSA flight attendants cuz they were still the NICEST people to work with. Just the BEST people!

[@andrewsaviation7792]

So glad to hear that PSA's culture still existed within USAir among all that's happened. A cheerful crew can really make a difference :)

[@scherzva]

I flew PSA on their last day of operation. I flew US Air while I was in undergrad, I am still a member of AAdvantage.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

Useless Air employee? How did you survive that company?

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@kryztofkowalski4628 AA worse than Useless Air? Is that even possible?

[@toddwetmore551]

After the merger with PSA and Piedmont you could tell who was an ex PSA and Piedmont employee. We were just a lot nicer than the US Air Employees.

[@cliff8669]

PSA ... Poor Sailor Airline. I remember in April 1981, I had returned to the U.S. after a tour of duty in Japan as a U.S. Marine. I flew a PSA flight from LAX to Oakland. Once we reached cruse altitude, the Stewardess began to serve drinks. I was asked what I wanted. Told the Lady I was only 20 years old and couldn't drink alcohol. I fell in love that day. She looked at me with a beautiful smile and said "Honey You can wear that uniform, you can drink." I had a screwdriver. I still have one of the cocktail napkins from PSA in my scrapbook.

[@Jalu3]

Thanks for your service!

[@cliff8669]

@@Jalu3 Thank you.

[@kathleenking47]

This was BEFORE it was a prostate exam

[@BAKER22-l4u]

Thank you for your service

[@cliff8669]

@@BAKER22-l4u Semper Fi

[@judycorriea7907]

AC ~ I am proud to say I was a Flight Attendant with PSA 1974-1994 and flew the 727, 737, DC9-80, and the BAE 146. Best company and outstanding people I've ever worked with!! I had fun every time I went to work... wonderful memories, and I still have my (red & pink) Hot Pants Uniform, red boots, purse, and hat!!

[@andrewsaviation7792]

Wow that is quite the diverse fleet assignment! It sounds like you had lots of fun during your time there. Which aircraft or route was your favorite to work on?

[@MalcolmRuthven]

In October 1961 I was on vacation in LA (lived in Missouri then) and a friend talked me into flying to SF for the weekend, so we flew up on PSA on Friday night for $12.50 on an Electra. I fell in love with the SF area that weekend so stayed for another week, then moved here a year and a half later. Still here. You could say that PSA had a large part in me being here.

[@moebaker9359]

I’m a egypt air flight attendant who still flies frequently the Cairo-JFK and Cairo-Dulles route and I wish we could smile the same way PSA flight attendants did!

[@n1vg]

Flight 1771 was the one that was hijacked and crashed. It happened near where I live, and several years later I joined the local search and rescue team and a few of the veterans carried mental scars from that recovery. The plane crashed at about 770 MPH in rocky terrain. They described finding house keys snapped in half. It's amazing the cockpit voice recorder survived.

[@noligirl1]

Thank you for your service. My friends at LAX loaded up that flight. It was my night off. For many years it was reported as the act of "a disgruntled former PSA employee). I'd like to thank the creator of this video for getting the details correct. The entire backstory has never been told.

[@michaelosgood9876]

That plane was in one piece until impact too, which is incredible. Seen Air Crash Investigation report

[@TitanicHorseRacingLover]

@@noligirl1 What a terrible thing to have happened to a seemingly wonderful airline and to passengers and crew who didn't deserve what happened to them.

[@michaelcoletta4547]

Too bad they erased the contents and won't let anyone hear the cockpit voice recorder.

[@erict5234]

Only a handfull of L1011s remain anywhere in the world that haven't been scrapped... One of them was originally a PSA bird (N10112) is now a museum in Kansas City.

[@toemblem]

I've flown on L1011s four times (two round trips) and they were great planes. I wish they had worked out their problems and were able to keep making them.

[@ronparrish6666]

2 also went to WorldWays of Canada for a couple of years be fore the ceasd operations we remember the lower deck down by the nose wheel

[@ronparrish6666]

2 also went to WorldWays of Canada for a couple of years be fore the ceasd operations we remember the lower deck down by the nose wheel

[@krugerfuchs]

2 remain

[@krugerfuchs]

David burke

[@ericsundell9978]

Man, those 727's looked so good, esp. in PSA colors.

[@AlexAnder-ut9es]

The smile livery has got to be one of the most iconic ones ever. Modern liveries offer crazy complex designs with animals & sceneries but there's just something about that simple black line. Imagine it updated today in 3D colour, complete with pouty, plumped lips & movie-star teeth. horrifying or cute....who knows.

[@n1vg]

I remember that livery. We usually flew Continental because my aunt worked there, but the smiling planes were the ones I looked for at the airport when I was a kid. I was always a little disappointed when we never flew on a smiling plane.

[@carolhutchinson7763]

When they painted on the smile the windows looked like eyes and the nose became a nose.

[@moriver3857]

I am now an AA employee, and remember PSA from that era, being myself in the airline business since the early 80s. I have two or three coworkers that started back with PSA in the 70s and still working for AA, along with the many mergers and ups and downs. I particularly dislike deregulation and think deregulation destroyed the airlines, making them the Greyhound buses in the sky in every sense of the word. I'd be willing to pay more for a more spacious cabin, great service, attentive flight attendants and overall customer service.

[@SoloPilot6]

Most people wouldn't. It takes about the same time from my front door in Phoenix to the door I want to walk through in Los Angeles or Las Vegas whether I drive or go by air. If the price of flying is too high, a lot of those seats will fly empty (and this is why the Crony Express "high-speed" rail project in California was doomed before they broke ground). It's the "Greyhound" model that has worked for the airlines -- those which were able to evolve and ride out rough times. The old model just doesn't work anymore. In the 1940s, transportation was by train and ocean liner, but the passengers left both of those behind because flying was faster. People want transportation. So, the big boats evolved into resorts, and passenger rail is either commuter service or a more comfortable alternative to the bus to people who don't want to fly.

[@KutWrite]

If it had been true deregulation, we'd have all kinds of choices in price and amenities... even going "naked face." No, government rations the routes and makes flying so complex and expensive even some big guys had to consolidate and crush as many PAX into the hull as possible. Government makes everything worse.

[@LoydChampion]

PSA was fantastic, and in fact, Southwest Airlines is patterned after PSA. When US Air purchased them, they screwed everything up, and handed Southwest Airlines the road to where they are today. Oh yea, loved the smile on the aircraft as I like a happy plane, and face it, the hot pants and go-go boot uniforms weren't bad either..

[@paulsmith3820]

Lamar Muse and Rollin King, who were the founders of Southwest Airlines, visited PSA to get ideas on how to build an intrastate airline in Texas. They took away numerous ideas. Initially, Muse and King ordered Lockheed Electra's, because that was PSA's main airplane at the time. But several Lockheed Electra's tore themselves to pieces, including a Braniff Electra over the skies of Texas. Southwest placed a hold on its Electra order. Subsequently, it decided on the Boeing 737-200, which proved to be a good decision. The rest is history.

[@LoydChampion]

@@paulsmith3820 It was also my understanding that 2 of the PSA executives took their severance check and went an joined Southwest after US Air let them go after taking over.

[@paulsmith3820]

You are correct. I am from Dallas. Over the years I had opportunities to meet some of the folks that were instrumental in founding Southwest. My first flight on Southwest was when they had just 3 airplanes. Lamar went to California to discuss with PSA how to start and operate an intrastate carrier. Out of those discussions came the ideas for the model that Southwest eventually developed. Originally, as I remember it, Southwest was going to buy or lease Lockheed Electra's, which was PSA's main airplane at the time. However, before they could complete the deal, Southwest was sued by American, Braniff, etc. because they refused to move to the new DFW International Airport. That delayed Southwest's start-up. While fighting off it legal problems, if I remember correctly, one of Braniff's Electra's broke up over the sky's of Texas and ruined the passenger's lunch plans. By the time the dust from the legal battles settled, as well as the fall out from the Electra crashes, Southwest decided on the Boeing 737-200, which was a brilliant decision.

[@erik_griswold]

The famous Sully Sullenberg of Hudson River fame began his career at PSA

[@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath]

Who cares?

[@carolhutchinson7763]

@@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath: It's an interesting fact for people who had those planes with their painted on faces flying over their house everyday. If you don't like the video go away. You don't have to be here. Maybe you should be doing your homework.

[@silasmarner7586]

@@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath I do, bitch.

[@randyp6370]

Leave it to USSAir to ruin a perfectly good airline. I flew the MD-80 for USSAir out of PIT, the PSA guys and gals were a breath of fresh air to fly with compared to the US crews.

[@hscollier]

When I went to work for Southwest Airlines in 1977 I was sent to Dallas Love Field for training. Our trainers told us that Pacific Southwest Airlines business model was the model for Southwest’s lighthearted persona, flight attendants friendliness, uniforms, and fare structure. This video is the only place I’ve seen that mentioned.

[@philjohnson2611]

AC Fantastic airline! I still have my laminated PSA luggage tags and my frequent flyer card. So sad when they disappeared. Stewardesses were the most gorgeous in the air!

[@shepardbook]

Back when you really want to sit in the aisle seat.

[@kevinmalone3210]

Nah, Brannif had the hottest looking stewardesses.

[@karmadave]

As kids, my sister and I frequently flew on PSA to visit our divorced parents. Our mom lived in NorCal and father in SoCal. I will never forget those iconic planes, with smiles and that back in those days you could visit the cockpit and talk to the pilots (not in flight though). A special thanks to the PSA flight attendants who we extremely friendly and always took good care of us 'unaccompanied minors'. Good times 😃

[@pooryorick831]

I flew as an unaccompanied child between San Diego and Oakland many times going to visit grandparents. Those flights usually stopped at LAX too. PSA is the only Airline I flew on until I went to New York when I was 18. I have nothing but good memories of PSA. I think the last time I flew on PSA was in 1984. After that it was AirCal until American absorbed AirCal and USAir absorbed PSA.

[@davidcole333]

I grew up seeing PSA 727's fly over my house every day while they were on final approach to SJC. When I graduated from Marine Corps boot camp in 1988, I flew a PSA BAe-146 home from SAN to SJC for 10 days of leave. That was the happiest flight of my life. I loved the planes with the smiles and I was very, very saddened when PSA 182 went down.

[@jeffbutler6100]

Loved those Electra's They would press you back in the seat on take-offs and they would climb like a homesick angel.

[@3939michele]

I loved flying PSA. As I remember Western also had the same kind of "fun to fly" attitude. Maybe this is why I love Southwest so much.😊

[@andrewsaviation7792]

All the airlines that make flying "fun" are great since it adds personality. :D

[@darrensmith867]

That was a really enjoyable video to watch about an airline that really interests me. Thankyou for making and sharing it with us

[@andrewsaviation7792]

My pleasure!

[@jvanhest]

I’m a native San Diegan and grew up with PSA as our hometown airline. It was heartbreaking when US Air took over and we miss the smile to this day😢 Something interesting is I worked at San Diego International Airport back in the 90’s and even though PSA was long gone, their former hanger that doubled as their headquarters remained. The airport had taken the hanger over and converted it to a commuter terminal for a time. This meant I had access to the office portion of the building. Surprisingly many of the offices (including a whole floor if memory serves) were still stuck in time and it was very nostalgic for me walking the halls of the former PSA headquarters. I believe the airport has since finally renovated all of the office space so I’m glad I had the chance to visit when I did.

[@dragonmeddler2152]

You mean Lindbergh Field?

[@pamelaphelan4144]

I was a Flight Attendant for US Airways from 1998-2001. I had a blast flying out of Charlotte, NC. I really enjoyed my time with them. Crews were fantastic and I even got a couple flights with Captain Sully. He is truly a wonderful person and a fantastic pilot!! ❤️✈️

[@craigjackson2428]

Very impressed with your KZbin presentation. Remember the forerunner to Southwest Airlines. Collected timetables. Very accurate timeline of the 70s and 80s with PSA. Remember 1978 airline deregulation, PSA 182 and airline mergers of the 80s. After high school in the 80s, wanted to work for Piedmont Airlines. Piedmont was acquired along with PSA. After those acquisitions, AirCal going to American, Southwest expanded into intrastate California and downsized USAir back to the east coast. It is truly amazing to behold, American would later acquire USAirways. What a wild ride to no longer see forerunner interstate airline that was once PSA. Fond wonderful memories of a kid avgeek.

[@andrewsaviation7792]

Thanks for your compliment! It's one thing to research all this on the internet, but to actually remember everything that's happened is another. It's been a crazy ride for airlines since deregulation. It's either "eat" or "be eaten by your competitor". At least we still have some retro liveries like American's PSA, America West, Air Cal and other cool planes.

[@bonnwolff1890]

When I was in Navy boot camp in San Diego, tech school and stationed at North Island, in 1980 I remember being told if we washed out we'd be sent home by "Poor Sailors Airline" and, being cheap was the deciding factor. Every time I went home to Oregon on leave it was on a 727. Still have a soft spot for those planes.

[@RandallCarrierINC]

We remember getting in line around 10:30pm for their Midnight Flyer from SFO to LAX. The fare was $10.85. All standby and you paid on board.

[@SFPhilo]

Did the LAX to SFO, was one of 4 passengers on that flight with 3 FA's; that's when they were still wearing the hot pants!

[@RandallCarrierINC]

@@SFPhilo We usually flew on Friday night, always full and crazy. We loved it.

[@cris_261]

Watching this video brought back memories of watching PSA jets throttle up and go thundering down the runway at Ontario International Airport. They kept company with the jets from American, United, Continental, and Hughes. Good times!

[@manthony1956]

First experienced PSA shortly after high school graduation. I think my first flight was San Jose to Burbank for $19. About ten years later, my job moved from Santa Clara to Chatsworth. I took many a Saturday morning flight home for the weekend with wonderful crews for about three years. The 727 is still my favorite.

[@pals_312]

I really love this video! You explained the airline well! You kept my attention for the whole 14 minutes, great job!

[@jesusgarber2042]

I used to fly out of LAX to SFO and back to LAX every Wednesday when i worked for Motown Records. 7:00 am up and 6:00 pm back. This was such a great airlines well managed and always friendly. You had families , College kids and Business people all fitting in together with no problems.

[@ginnyhowery2681]

One time, i was returning from Japan. I had been in the air close to 24 hours. My Navy uniform was soiled and wrinkled. Flying from Hawaii i arrived at SFO late in the night. I was going to LA. I had no reservations for LA as i was at the wrong airport. Went i went to the PSA counter and told them what had happened, they said the last flight to LA was full. And this was at midnight. They told me to go down to the PSA gate with my seabag and wait. After everyone boarded. The stewardess grabbed me up with my bag, put in the crew galley seat and away we went. Loved PSA and how they helped sailors.

[@WA_weather]

I was young when PSA flew. I flew on them 1 time as a kid. And I miss the days of watching the old 146 from PSA fly into Vegas. In 2002, I worked for US Airways. The best people I ever worked with was a former PSA employee. And I mean the absolute best! The stories they shared were amazing too.

[@detlefkurpanek]

Excellent presentation! Thank you.

[@andrewsaviation7792]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@cyberi4a]

I still miss PSA/Aircal today.

[@michaelgarcia2050]

Not sure about the timing of the phasing out of the Electras. I flew on a PSA Electra to Tahoe around 1977 or so. They had the 727's with the smiley faces at that time, and the Electra had the same exact paint desgin as the 727's. They were using Electras at that airport because the local residents believed they were quieter than standard jetliners. Turns out they were just as loud if not louder.

[@andrewsaviation7792]

PSA had them for a while then got rid of them, the a few years later they were brought back solely for Tahoe service.

[@psa722]

I still remember the jingle: "Catch our smile, our super smile, PSA!" I miss PSA and all of the former airlines such as Hughes Airwest, Midwest Express, North Central, Republic, Northwest, Western. I have flown a lot of airlines, but there are not as many airlines as before, and now days, especially because of the virus, flying just Ain't as fun as it used to be.

[@cindysue5474]

Yeah Hughes and Western out of Phx.

[@michae8jackson378]

I flew for the regional PSA from 04-08. Loved flying for them! CRJ700s and 200s. They have 900s now too! So much fun, great memories!

[@BryanTheeStallion]

I just got hired With them as A Flight Attendant

[@doug9066]

I still have PSA flight schedules, also with the "SMILE" on aircraft made the airline unique.

[@andrewsaviation7792]

That's awesome

[@espeemike3698]

I started my airline career with PSA on 12-8-86 in San Diego. That was the day the merger with UsAir was announced! I reported to the supervisor, and on his desk was a copy of the newspaper with with big bold type “PSA SOLD”. I almost said thanks but no thanks, and go back to ask for my old job back.

[@jameswaters3939]

I think you meant that PSA was INTRA-state, meaning all within 1 state. INTER-state is like the interstate highways - in more than 1 state. After de-regulation, it did become interstate with flights to Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. For a while, they had the largest west coast market share, but after US Airways bought the company, they only flew to the coast from inland destinations with zero flights up & down the coast.

[@andrewsaviation7792]

Yeah your right, thanks for pointing that out! Guess I missed that bit when editing the script. When USAir bought out PSA, their route structures didn't align, since USAir tended to serve destinations from a hub-and-spoke method rather than PSA's direct route method. Adopting PSA's original system completely would have been possible, but likely very costly.

[@lynnpoelman7230]

That's true. What a shame they had to merge it. I loved working there. I was at the gate 34 in SF as well as the counter. I liked our pink and hot pink uniforms withe the red gogo boots better than the stews. Lynn Duckworth (at the time)

[@ryanbarr4726]

@@andrewsaviation7792 You're*

[@brookeking8559]

AC I flew PSA only a few times, and each time was excellent, even the short hops between LAX and John Wayne Orange County. When US Airways existed, I noticed a lot of crew members’ name badges had the logos of predecessor airlines on them, PSA, USAir, and America West, along with US Airways’ logo. It’s my understanding that US Airways bought American - not the other way around - and took the better known brand like when Norwest Bank bought Wells Fargo and took the latter name. The description mentions PSA started as an “interstate” airline, which the narration stated repeatedly. It’s a common slip of the tongue and sometimes an erroneous autocorrection. PSA started as an intrastate airline, as did Southwest. That enabled them both to thrive and compete in their large home markets without federal Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) interference during the CAB era. CAB set fares and routes for interstate flights, which prevented creation of low-cost interstate airlines until Jimmy Carter ended the CAB.

[@markodom3841]

You’re right that American technically bought USAir and had the surviving name but I read where USAir was financially stronger than AA and with the merger more of its BOD ended up running the merged AA BOD than former American board members.

[@motorTranz]

Excellent documentary. Thank you.

[@islava81]

AC! Nicely done, sir!

[@andrewsaviation7792]

Thank you kindly, so glad you liked it!

[@aggiesjc]

It would have been fun to have seen the lower-deck lounges that the two PSA TriStars had, which was normally where the galley would have been. It was a very unusual configuration, and it made it hard for PSA to convince other airlines to take them when they decided to get rid of them.

[@MichaelJones-uw8gi]

Flew psa regularly back in 70's. When in navy bootcamp they flew from Lindbergh field. 727 was awesome aircraft

[@cliff8669]

MCRD San Diego 1979. My barracks faced Lindbergh Field. I remember being on fire watch and watching them take off and land.

[@PhoenixStarman]

Having the fortunate opportunity to work with our PSA family I must say thank you for your fine presentation. One particular note I enjoyed was not widely known, Southwest's endeavor to copy everything about us, except our smiles of course which continue to live on many of us today.

[@andrewsaviation7792]

I'm so happy you enjoyed the video! Even though Southwest pretty much "stole" the business model, it just goes to show how successful an airline like PSA can be.

[@markodom3841]

Also, Herb Kellerher knew that Texas was probably the only state besides California big enough and with enough markets to handle that same intrastate unregulated business model.

[@johnsymonstcu]

I remember my Dad saying in the late '50's and early '60's that PSA was quite popular with the many Navy personnel stationed in California because of their low prices, dependable service and great cabin crews. Many people referred to PSA as the Poor Sailors Airline as a term of endearment not in a derogatory way. New subscriber here. This video was quite enjoyable and convinced me to subscribe. Looking forward to your upcoming vlogs. Have a good week and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. ❤🛫❄☃️🎄🙏🌎

[@andrewsaviation7792]

Thank you very much and welcome aboard! You're absolutely right saying that PSA was popular with the Navy. Not just because of the reasons you mentioned, but also because they had operating bases/hubs at many Californian cities with Military bases (ex: San Diego). The Navy and the public gave PSA so many nick-names it's quite humorous.

[@bretbow88]

AC Terrific video Andrew! This is the first time I've seen one of your videos. Your narration was excellent, great voice too. I flew PSA quite a few times in the 70's & 80's, but my favorite was Air California/AirCal, (from SFO to SNA). I would love to see you do a video on them.

[@fob1xxl]

All through the 60s and 70s and 80s. I flew PSA from L.A. to SAN JOSE, where my folks lived. They were great. It cost me $11.50 to fly in 1964. I was in my 20s, and they had the cutest and "hotest" flight attendants. They started the whole fashion look for flight attendants. They were known for the prettiest and friendliest girls in flight. Boy, have times changed !

[@encinobalboa]

US Air took over PSA and pissed away all of the goodwill this great airline earned. Thankfully, the PSA way lives on in Southwest Airlines and IMO is what makes SW so successful.

[@irishharmon]

In the late 70's early 80's when I was in the USN we called them the "Poor Sailors Airline" flew many times with them. They were a great airline to fly on and a huge shout out to the crews of PSA really wonderful people. Nothing but fond memories of PSA.

[@JetWashSanDiego]

Thanks for the video! As a kid I always want to work for PSA, come on, it was based in SAN. Got my A&P at age 18, couldn't get a job (airlines just deregulated) did 4 years Navy as an a/c electrician and the dream job was waiting for me late 1986 for PSA. For some reason I didn't make the 3 month probation & I was heartbroken but it was the best thing to ever happen to me. I started my own a/c maintenance company called Jet Wash and I was the only freelance mechanic at SAN for 10 straight years. My company also did all the aircraft exterior washes for UAL, Alaska, Aloha, Hawaiian & Frontier all at SAN. Thank you PSA! (I did love my 3 months there!)

[@andrewsaviation7792]

That's quite the story! It's amazing how events in our life guide us to where we are now, and how what we thought we wanted wasn't our true place in life. Thanks so much for sharing your unique origin story! Haven't heard something like that in a while :)

[@Kwameking1]

Excellent!Thank you

[@toomanyhobbies2011]

Took a PSA 727 flight from LA to Albuquerque. We were slow to get to the runway and very slow to disembark. In those days the smoking section was at the rear of the plane, and the variations of PSA coming from the passengers in the rear were hilarious, Pretty Slow Airline and others... Took a PSA flight from Ontario to Las Vegas in a BAE 146. Sweat little aircraft, just walk up the short folding steps from the tarmac. Both of these aircraft had smiles painted on them and both flights were inexpensive.

[@juancarlosgomez-montejano2961]

I loved PSA as a kid. I remember it was the airline for the state of California. USAir destroyed that and like upgraded the service serving a full fledged meal service on small flights like Sacramento To San Diego. I also loved how you cloud to small secondary airports as well. Burbank, Orange Co, concord, Eureka, Palm Springs, Lake Tahoe and Sanoma

[@arthurkallansrud1950]

I flew on PSA all the times I was stationed at Travis AFB.

[@tpolerex7282]

It’s amazing that you could fly a wide-body from SF to SoCa, now it’s a 737 from Hawaii to Maine and everywhere in between.

[@shepardbook]

Hell, I remember flying LA to Chicago. On a 747 (yes, it was THAT long ago, I’m that old). These days, you better be happy with a 737 or 320-series.

[@SteveH98264]

As a kid growing up in California I frequently flew PSA. As an air traffic controller (1978-2010) PSA was one of my favorite airlines to work. I worked @ LAX around the time PSA was phasing out operations. I asked a US Air crew headed to San Diego if they would participate in a questionable operation behind a B747 departing the south complex of which they agreed to. As the US Air was rolling on RWY 24L they reported the airbourne B747 in sight. When I commented "Must be an old PSA crew" US Air replied "Got that shit right"! It was a sad day for most controllers when PSA ceased operations.

[@brianna_lynch]

When my aunt was a kid, Pacific Southwest Airlines was her favorite airline.

[@brianl1495]

"AC". I've flown on the 319 with the PSA livery years ago. Was really a fun airline to go with back in the day.

[@frankholbert8437]

Nice video, thanks. I was a regular PSA pax in the 70's when we lived in San Diego, GREAT AIRLINE. I was 15, 16, 17 years old and fell in LOVE with every flight attendant on every flight. Because of PSA I started taking flying lessons and got my license when in high school, later became an Air Traffic Controller. Still a pilot and aircraft owner 52 years later.

[@Amtran727]

I only flew PSA once. LAX-SAN roundtrip on a 727 in the 70s. For years I saved the ticket jacket with the PSA logo but over the years I've lost it.

[@andrewsaviation7792]

Hope you can find it again, it sounds like a wonderful piece of airline history.

[@gloriaruth573]

I miss PSA! I can remember visiting friends in Los Angeles. We went to the beach and I enjoyed watching the smiles fly overhead as they depart at LAX.

[@ethansaviation2672]

Love this livery on the l'1011. Sadly I will never get to see an L'1011 because all of them except one is scrapped, why couldn't a museum keep one😭

[@markodom3841]

AC. Great report. I became interested in airlines in ‘66 as a kid and remember the uniqueness of PSA flying jets within one state on high frequency routes. Elsewhere in the country such routes were by feeder carriers using Convair twin props or turboprops. I also liked the scene in the 1968 movie Bullit where Steve McQueen chases the bad guy at night across San Francisco airport. He dodged a few Pan Am 707s and runs beside a PSA 727 as it starts its takeoff roll. A classic movie scene.

[@PepperTreeVilla]

AC I remember taking a flight from OAK to LAX on June 6, 1983. I was just a kid, but I remember the smile on our PSA jet. I had an uncle that was a mechanic for PSA as well. Good times.

[@h.p.oliver8666]

During the late 1960s and early 1970s my work required almost weekly round trips between San Francisco and Los Angeles. I always flew PSA, for their low fairs, on-time service, and their great employees. Later I did some production work for their FM radio station in Sacramento. Whether flying with them or working for them, PSA was number one in my book. Now we have Southwest with terrible service, overbooking, cattle car interiors, and uncaring employees. Today, I actually make the 7 hour drive to LA from San Francisco rather than subject myself Southwest. I miss you, PSA.

[@hubbardhowe9620]

AC Took my first airplane ride on PSA back in 1963 (L-188 service from San Diego to Oakland). And on one very memorable flight from Oakland to San Diego via LAX in 1965 I sat in the jump seat when we landed in San Diego.

[@leezinke4351]

There is a US Airways/American Airbus A-319 still wears the PSA livery.

[@brianmorton6121]

Was the first airline I ever flew on when I was a child. Still remember that day was Fresno to LA and on to San Diego.

[@gman83090]

PSA name still exists it is a regional airline and it flys under American eagle PSA Airlines is an American regional airline headquartered at Dayton International Airport in Vandalia, Ohio,[3] that flies under the American Eagle brand for American Airlines. PSA is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group.

[@lawrenceakini9507]

I had loved PSA. The smile on the aircraft was special.

[@andrewsaviation7792]

It was quite unique and iconic. The only other planes that had smiles on them were some USAir/US Airways planes when the mechanics painted them on as a joke :)

[@frankdenardo8684]

The smileliners

[@greateraviationgl91]

"So you see, that's where the trouble begins" *Shows PSA smile* "That smile..." "That damn smile"

[@kenclark9888]

PSA Poor Sailors Airline/Pretty Sneaky Airline. No matter what it was called I always had a good trip and a good time on PSA

[@robm3074]

Love your video. And I have signed up to receive future ones. Thank you for the good quality.

[@andrewsaviation7792]

I'm happy to hear it! I'll have some more videos coming shortly! Welcome aboard :)

[@BpGregor]

PSA was "my" airline for traveling up and down California. One of the best airlines I ever flew. Only time I didn't fly on PSA was when I had to go to Fresno and United had that route. I flew on the L-1011 at least twice, until it was taken out of service. I flew into San Diego 2 days after that horrible crash. And I flew on the Bae twice. The one which was brought down by that disgruntled employee carried the mother of one of my co-workers. Since I was flying for a company, I had to choose the lowest price I could get. Pan Am began offering fill-up fares way below the PSA fares. Fill up rights were a big part of Pan Am's ads in California because that San Francisco-Los Angeles corridor was very busy and until the fill-up permissions started, Pan Am was flying that route with only a half full plane, which was usually continuing on to Central or South America. PSA, the Poor Student's Airline!

[@fe6523]

I have a interview with PSA,very soon!! Thank you for sharing!!!

[@jeffreykoran4820]

PSA WAS ONE OF THE BETTER AIRLINES BACK IN THE DAY..I ALWAYS ENJOYED FLYING THEM

[@gchavez26]

I flew on PSA every summer between LA and Sacramento and always had a great experience. Southwest may have the same business model, but it’s not at all the same. Does anyone know if there is a place to get PSA branded items like nostalgic shirts or hats?

[@cindysue5474]

Check ebay or look up the air museum in San Diego if not you will just have to do some searches.

[@narcosis70]

I went to Navy Boot Camp in San Diego in 1970. We were next door to the Marines and beyond their base was Lindbergh Field. Was very taunting to be restricted to camp there for training and seeing airliners all day, many of them PSA. Got a little comfort in 1971 though, when I flew PSA from San Francisco to Ontario to visit relatives in SoCal. I remember them handing out the tickets and thinking the experience was more like a bus ride than an airliner. So laid back. Really neat airline.

[@MichelleBradley]

The name PSA still lives on through PSA Airlines, a regional carrier that, like Piedmont, was a wholly-owned subsidiary of US Airways Group. PSA does not have their own routes, but instead flies regional jets on behalf of the major carrier.

[@andrewsaviation7792]

Exactly. PSA is a subsidiary of American Airlines, which also owns the present day regional-Piedmont airline.

[@markodom3841]

Yeah, American uses 69 PSA CRJ 900s and 61 PSA CRJ 700s - many based in its Charlotte hub. They also use the PSA name for their flight training regional pilot program that feeds pilots into the American system.

[@markodom3841]

@@andrewsaviation7792 Right. 59 of American Eagle’s ERJ-145s are run by Piedmont and the other 58 by Envoy, which still also has 15 ERJ-140s in its fleet and going fast. Where I live the Envoy ERJ-140s have given way to PSA CRJ-700s of late.

[@andyolivares8692]

I flew PSA once, from LAX to SAN in July, 1985....nice memories!

[@hawaiianiceberg439]

Thank you for doing these videos. I've been binge watching these for a few days :p

[@andrewsaviation7792]

I'm so glad you enjoyed them that much. You just made my week :3

[@avalon1995]

I spent twenty-five years in the airline industry beginning my career just shortly after the 1978 Airline Deregulation Act was signed into law. I remember the long list of airlines that once were such as PSA, Eastern, Braniff International Airways, Piedmont, North Central, etc. But, out of all the ones I mentioned PSA stood out and really left a good legacy behind.

[@Sean-C]

AC Love the video....remembered flying PSA from San Francisco to San Diego in 1986. Always wondered what happened to the airline. Now I know.

[@marksmith4582]

AC! I just found your channel and subscribed! I follow several channels similar to yours. Some are flight vloggers. At least one is a pilot who is now a captain on a regional airline. I remember the PSA brand myself however never flew on them. I have flown on Ozark Airlines, Mississippi Valley Airlines (MVA), and Northwest Airlines. Really glad I found your channel! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'm glad to subscribe to your channel! Always my personal best for you and your channel! Mark in Iowa.

[@andrewsaviation7792]

Thank you for your wonderful comment! I'm so happy you enjoyed. I remember flying with Northwest Airlines too. Was sad to see them go even though they just emerged from bankruptcy. Feel free to stick around and have a wonderful holiday season!

[@DiamondAviator4]

PSA had a nice livery, but it was so sad watching these smiling planes crash in 1978 and 1987 :(

[@Sacto1654]

PSA owes its very existence to the CAB. Once the CAB went out of business in 1978, it was only a matter of time before the airline got merged with another airline, in this case US Airways.

[@Swoss1]

3:20 "Precious Stewardess Award" is PSA... is that just a coincidence?

[@KingCommander1000]

AC. Great video! Cool to see the 319 in that livery.

[@garybohringer9147]

This video is excellent. I’m former Midway Airlines and would love to see one about them. They were fantastic to be a part of.

[@andrewsaviation7792]

Thanks, Midway is the next video so stay tuned!

[@philb1595]

PSA was our Favorite Airline , I miss them alot

[@victorasubar4455]

The one thing I like about PSA is the smile be low the nose.

[@bandmarc141]

The very first airline I ever flew on as a kid on the Bae 146.....remembered the overhead wings and the "smile" on all the planes. I still have my "wings" from the 80s

[@Archsponge]

One of my first flights as a kid was on PSA on a day trip my grandpa took me on from SAN to LAX! Funny thing is that the plane I flew on was called “The Smile of Long Beach” which is eventually where I ended up living 😊

[@andrewsaviation7792]

Maybe that was the day your "fate" changed XD. Great story!

[@jeffrodrigues3176]

Loved PSA , great memories at San Jose! Miss them

[@andrewsaviation7792]

RIP PSA 😞 . Their contributions to the airline industry will never be forgotten.

[@danking6446]

thanks for educating me about PSA more thoroughly! i'm a SoCal kid but not old enough to have experience with them... although I've loved their livery & interior palettes for a long time. just curious why the image at 8:20 is very obviously LAX while talking about game-changing departures from SD & Oakland to destinations in Nevada

[@stevehofmaster4292]

Loved this video,I flew many trips on PSA they were the best,I. Cried when they were bought out by Us Airways.

[@andrewsaviation7792]

Thanks! I was emotional myself when my childhood airline Northwest went out of business too.

[@belindashaw1615]

Loved PSA and flew regularly while working out of LA in the early 80s. I still have a treasured laminated PSA luggage label

[@andrewjohn7782]

AC. And I worked in the 2 L-1011's delivered to PSA. They were unique. The standard below-deck galley (found on every other L-10 built) was replaced with a boarding area/lounge with folding stairs to the tarmac, and stairs to the main cabin so they could operate out of airports without jetways or tall airstairs. This area could also handle dropoff & retrieval of baggage that couldn't be accommodated in the main cabin (eg carry-on size).