Santa Maria, CA
September 18, 2008
"Ellie" as Ruth affectionately refers to the Lockheed 12A Electra
February 18, 2008 Spirit of TWA FLight NC18137 scheduled departure - on time and perfect. Clear morning, blue sky, we are on our way to New York. Ruth is looking over the original instrument chart and flight book of her fathers. Curt is of course flying " Ellie".
Monday, Sept 8, finishing a tasty Chinese lunch my fortune cookie said: "you have an ambitious nature and may make a name for yourself".
So many people have stepped up to help make this history flight a success. Ruth's daughter Susan Holden Walsh is handling the publicity. Coordinating the Kansas City event scheduled for September 25, is retired TWA VP of Corporate Communications Jerry Cosley.
Todd Burke (foremer TWA employee) , JetBlue VP Corporate Communications, called September 2, two weeks before JetBlue's September 22 scheduled gala opening of JFK Terminal 5. Todd asked; "do you think Ruth Richter Holden would be interested in flying the L12A to New York for our grand opening?" Ruth's first response was "that's impossible"!
A trip requiring at least 2 months preparation was accomplished in less than two weeks including 4 travel days to New York.
Ruth coordinated flight plans, and hotels, Captain Curt ensured "Ellie" was ready for her voyage. I immediately ran out and bought a new IMAC Pro laptop, started designing a website, and began cleaning my camera equipment, plus all of thousands of details yet to be determined.
With little time and a lot of work, we did it. Departure was right on schedule, September 18, 7am. Look out New York cuz here we come!
Kaye