Peggy Hymel's Story
After reading Joe Wright's story, it reminded me of how everything was so immediate back then. I was 19 years old when I interviewed to be a ticket agent in DCA and was the youngest person hired for the launch.
Check Peck said I had to be 20 before the airline started. I turned 20 while training in NY on 12/20/80. Someone gave me a bib in the Sheraton Bar and New York Air opened its doors 18 days later.
I was promoted to supervisor in SDF six months after that and, within a few weeks, was acting station manager. And I wasn't even old enough to drink in the state!
I was so grown up back then, I've definitely gotten much more immature over the years. Thank God!
After SDF closed, I went back to DCA, then MSY, EWR and back to DCA. I cross trained to become a flight attendant for New York Air the year before the consolidation with Continental. I left CO in June of 1988. I then flew for US Airways for the next 16 years.
During that time, I earned my Certificate in French Culinary Arts in 1994 and earned a BA in Humanities and Art History from Georgetown University in 2004. I quit US Airways in 2005 and started a new career in sales for AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals in the San Francisco Bay area.
Those early years at New York Air taught me a valuable life lesson: I could do anything. Because back in those days, you did EVERYTHING!
What a laugh it has been to look back. I consider it an honor to have been associated with such a bright and funny group of risk takers.
Wish I could make it to the party and hope to see everyone at the next reunion.
Best to all.
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