It delights me to read Pan American might be on the rise again. Their logo used to be, “The World’s Most Experiences Airline.” It seems a consulting firm and bank are advancing FAA certification, and instead of using Boeing aircraft, the Airbus series of planes will wear the familiar Pan American logo. Certification is in the works. 

       To this announcement I say Hooray!  It makes me remember my Pan Am trips, like the one that took place in the mid-80s, during my February teaching break. I sat in first-class enjoying a martini, while my pilot, Bernie, the flight engineer, was in the cockpit, manning the mechanical and electrical systems. He used to tell me he just kicked the tires before takeoff and fixed the broken coffee pots for the stewardesses, until I rode in the cockpit on a short flight from London to Paris. No coffee pots there!

        Our Nice trip had a generous layover, so the cockpit crew rented a car and let me plan the next day’s itinerary. Visiting Renoir’s home and Matisse’s Chapel were exhilarating experiences for me, an artist, myself. 

        We tooted around those picturesque little Mediterranean towns, and it all seemed so familiar. Then, of course, I realized that besides Matisse and Renoir, I had to thank Cezanne, Monet and Van Gogh for giving me a preview of what the Rivera had in store for me. I’d been their fan since elementary school when I discovered them on the walls of the St. Louis Art Museum. 

       Our day ended with a stop at a perfume factory and a lovely dinner where I learned Vern, the copilot, had been in my cousin, Mark’s fighter squadron in Vietnam. Stories of pilot high jinks were passed around the table like second helpings.  Delicious!

My dear first cousin, Mark Berent, passed away recently at 93, and last week when I called Vern to let him know, we talked for a long time. As we said good-bye, he told me another war story, about his wife’s illness and his new responsibilities. I wished him well. 

Flying back in time with Pan Am is good medicine for Vern and for me. Those days bring to life our Halcyon era and like good wine, the memories improve with age. 

      So here’s to you Pam Am, and to all the experiences yet to come.