Airline Souvenirs
 

My name is vagabond and I'm a pack rat. I guess you could also say I'm a kleptomaniac since there is nothing out there I don't like and won't take. :p

So it is that I have in my possession some souvenirs collected from the many, many airlines I have flown, both domestic and international, defunct and still hanging on.

Some of you might remember the 5 styrofoam planes with "Federal Express" printed on them. I gave 4 of them away to folks right here on APC. [I hope you guys still have them!]

Then, of course, there are the famous real spoons and forks stamped with "Northwest Orient." I am so glad my father thought to put as many of them as he could into his briefcase after every meal. Man, those are good cutlery.

In one of the nightstands (with the drawer kinda stuck), I have many of those little toilet kits they used to give to international passengers. They have little toothbrushes, toothpaste, socks, ear plugs, etc in them. I have kits from Cathay Pacific, Scandinavian Airlines, United.

I also have in the bathroom drawer little bars of soap wrapped in blue paper printed with the Pan Am logo. Seeing them brought tears to my eyes.

Down in the kitchen, I have a small plastic container of soy sauce. The container is shaped like a fish. It is from Korean Airlines.

And stashed here and there all over the place are barf bags, inflight magazines and beverage napkins. LOT Polish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Finn Air, Czech Airlines, Malev, Philippine Airlines.

What do you have in your drawers? :D

One of the earliest flights I remember taking as a child was on a Virgin Atlantic bound for the UK. There were many items they gave out during the flight including headsets, maps, and a VA toothbrush/toothpaste; there was one item that I'll never forget receiving: a plastic Virgin Atlantic 747 model. I still have this model, and I have never seen another which could rival its quality.

This is what it looked like:

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/9407/gjvir811.jpg

You guys know this is a security issue right? :rolleyes:

The bit of OCD in me is freaking out because that 747 is off the centerline.

I have full uniforms, wings, hat crests expired I.D's and other stuff from the following airlines.

National air freight

Air Transport International

America West Airlines

United Airlines

It's only a security issue if this stuff wasn't issued to you and you are not trying to sell it. I also don't think there are any issues with out of date uniforms or uniform pieces for collector purposes are there?

I am happy to delete my own thread if I can get a rational explanation of the security issues surrounding the possession of barf bags and dried toothpaste.

It was a bad attempt at making fun of Rickair :p

Don't worry hotshot, I picked up on it! lol

I used to have some of those little fish soy sauce things. Must have gotten thrown out at some point.

My favorite are the cockpit photo postcards that I got as a kid flying on Air Canada.

I have a set of United plastic wings, a United napkin with the 1984 Olympic games logo on it, an unopened pack of coffee creamer and sugar from 1984 (yuk). An opened wrapper for United Eagle Honey Roasted Nuts. Somewhere I have a set of Untied playing cards from the 1980s.

It is in a box full of old stuff in my attic that Id forgotten about until recently. I dont keep stuff generally, but I was young, and it was my first airline trip, which was a big deal for me.

My trips on United in my youth was inspiring to the point that it started my path that led me where I am today.

I have quite a bit of Ozark stuff. If my memory serves me, I have things like envelopes, ticket jackets, bag tags, and some plastic wings given to me as a child. I think I may have a few TWA items, but Lord only knows where that stuff might be....but I'll tell you where it isnt...in my drawers:D

Let's see, I've got a sheared tailwheel lock pin from a DC-3, a peened R1820-82 piston (I think the matching cylinder head is around here somewhere,) a Smiths electric revolution indicator (funky Britsh tach that goes to 20,000 rpm,) a FAA approved first aid kit and a 5 pound halon bottle (both riding around in the trunk of the car), a generator control panel for a CV-440 and one blade of a Dowty Rotol prop. Just stuff I walked out the door with. Except the prop blade, it's over 6 feet long and weights 120 pounds. That was a bit of a project.

Better than stamp-collecting
 

Collecting, trading, and selling airline memorabilia is a big hobby for some people.
Here's an example of a gathering in the SEA area that Vagabond might be interested in: SEATTLE AIRLINE COLLECTIBLES SHOW

I've got the number 5 cylinder (master) from a P&W R-1340 with the rod sticking out the side. That one quit in a big hurry! It definitely got my attention when it did too.:)

I've also got an artificial horizon from a Bf-109 and a Spitfire. Not really airline stuff but aviation memrobilia no doubt.

I have a:

Northwest Orient spoon
BJS > SHA (yes SHA, not PVG) ticket stub from Air China
A plastic B-777 model from Air China
PVG > HKG ticket stub from Dragonair
A USB memory key with a picture of a SAS 767
Delta Airlines ballpoint pen.
American Airlines ballpoint pen with laser pointer
American Airlines branded post-it notes
American Airlines USB laser travel mouse

A Pan Am ticket from the 1930s, Key West to Havana. The fare was $9.95 one way.

Ozark!!
 

Ha! Ozark.

Why, I have Frank Doss embalmed in a huge jar in my hallway closet.

I swear that sometimes when I open the door and say "Ozark", he actually appears to smile.

BTW, I'll sell him for the right price.

I have an external fuel cap off of an Airlift DC-8. they were in a big hurry and had the beacon on before I could move the fuel truck.

I was so freaked that I forgot to put it back on after I was done fueling them.
fbh

I have a few bruises from the baggage compartment of the EMB-190. It is freaking 2' 11" and I am 6' 2".:eek::D