Short Stories

MY FIRST FLIGHT

by Guy Humphries
09/18/24
For Sale
Author requests article critique

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

                                  MY FIRST  FLIGHT 

At the age of 90, I find myself reminiscing about a significant moment from my past. It was 1954 and I was beginning my career at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. After being recently hired, I was given the opportunity to attend a six-week Bank Examiner school at the prestigious Federal Reserve Bank in Washington DC.

Growing up on a farm in the Ozark foothills, I was no stranger to hard work. After tending to our 40 acres and a team of horses farm, I also worked as a field hand for our neighbors. It was a tough job, but at the age of 10, I was determined to earn $3 a day. At 11, I did!! The income was a welcome addition to our family's finances. 

My desire to become a lifelong banker began early on, thanks to a minimum wage job at a big Little Rock bank. And by the time I was 19, I had already landed a position as an Assistant Cashier in a small town of 1200. It was this experience that caught the attention of the FDIC and led to my employment with them. 

Truly, the saying "God is good" could not be more fitting. This job was a lifesaver for me and my family. We got married early, in anticipation of my potential drafting into the Korean War. With a loving and supportive wife and two small children, we were struggling to make ends meet. We even had to buy Similac, a prescribed milk substitute, on credit because we couldn't afford it on my monthly salary of $175. Looking back, I realize that this job not only provided for my family, but it also set me on a path toward growth in my chosen profession. The memories and lessons from this time in my life will always hold a special place in my heart.

Walking to the terminal, I compared my beat up tin suitcase to the other travelers' fancy luggage. Mine was a far cry from theirs, but it had character and a story to tell. A story of all the places it had been and the memories it held. It is Daddy’s 1918 Army issue.  

This  was my first time flying, and I couldn't help but feel a little intimidated by the size and grandeur of the Nashville, TN airport. As I made my way through the bustling crowd, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. The thought of being thousands of feet up in the air, traveling to Washington D C, was exciting. 

As I approached the check-in counter, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in myself. I was a from Judsonia, AR.  Its 1200 population was diminished by the March 21-22, 1952 grandaddy of all tornadoes.  In town deaths of 30 of the grand total of 58 killed by that monster destroyed over 50 buildings in town. 325 were injured.   

At 19, I was hired to replace the Bank’s Assistant Cashier who was killed.  Working with only two other employees, I soon learned the workings of a tiny bank.  That helped qualified me to attend the Assistant FDIC Bank Examiner school in D C, my destination. 

This was it, the beginning of my first flight, and I was eager to get airborne. 

The airport was a world of its own, filled with people from all walks of life, each with their own stories and destinations.

As I settled into my seat on the plane, a gracious stewardess offered to stow my carry-on luggage for me.  It nestled against the pricey suitcase of my seatmate.

I couldn't help but feel grateful for her kindness and for the chance to meet such interesting people like my seatmate, James Rothchild,  the President of  Genesco. the largest shoe manufacturing company in America.

At 21, I was eager to meet new people.  Mr. Rothchild introduced himself, then fell silent as He studied his bible. His devotion to the Bible was admirable.  

My parents knew that Joyce my teen bride was not saved. The had to sign for me to marry at 18.  They requested that we pray and read their wedding gift, God’s Word every night. It worked, and Joyce got saved 72 years ago. Praise God.

I wanted my Bible. “Let me help you.” The stewardess thrust me aside.  Shoving the suitcase into my lap, She said “You sure are a religious Hillbilly reading a Bible.  We are over the Appalachians now. You would fit right in”.  

I replied ,“I am on my way to Bank Examiner school in the Federal Reserve building in D C.  That’s not Hillbilly.”

The co-pilot's voice echoed through the cabin, disrupting the peaceful flight. "We will  encounter some over-mountain disturbance," he said, his tone laced with concern. Please fasten your seat belts.  I snapped mine.  

Suddenly, the plane lurched. It shook violently, causing the passengers to grip their seats in fear.  The Captain  fought and stabilized the aircraft. The Stewardesses sprang into action, trying to comfort those who were terrified. 

The stewardesses began serving the great meals for which American was famous.  As they approached Mr. Rothschild, another vibration from the plane shook them. My meal was flung into the air and landed all over me.  I Panicked.  I realized that I had no other suit. "What will I do?" 

‘I am so sorry Sir.  We were hastening to  serve before D. C.  She explained. “I will advise our Captain. He will help.” 

Mr. Rothschild said,  “I can’t imagine how she missed me.”  Lucky, no.  Privileged, yes.  He wore a fashionable summer-weight tweed suit. In the midst of chaos, Mr. Rothschild remained calm and collected, a sight to behold.

Apologizing, The Captain assured me, “I will call ahead. American Airlines takes care of our passengers.”

The stewardess, now with an apologetic tone, repeatedly dabbed at the food on my suit as I hungrily ate. 

That stewardess escorted me to a side room to meet the caregiver that whisked me away to a haberdashery.  I thought,“The airline must own this store for it to open just for me on Sunday.” 

The owner said, “The transit system is on strike.  You need a light-weight fabric.  Do you want blue or brown?” Choosing brown, the $125 suit fit after tailoring. As a parting gesture, he gifted me a blue dress straw hat to brave 1954 June/July heat. That outfit cost American almost as much as my monthly salary in that tiny Judsonia bank.  

 American dropped me on Embassy Row at The Ambassador. The name fit since most clients were government officials from around the world. I was struck by its lavish beauty.   

I was shocked that FDIC reserved a $14 room when room and board perdiem was only $7.

The clerk gave me a message.  It was clear: my tin suitcase went to New York.  American  promised delivery that night.  It never arrived.

Listening to foreign languages spoken all around me, at Breakfast a message promised it by noon. The clerk would keep it until school dismissed at 3:30.

Determined to find something I could afford, I paid my $22 bill.  A cab to the Federal Reserve Bank was $10!!! I’m in the hole $25 already. 

During recess, a classmate asked us if we wanted to save?  Do we!!!  He lived in a rooming house that would accommodate four in a former living room.  $8 each for the bed and two meals.  Sold!!

After retrieving my suitcase and my clean suit from the Ambassador, I walked toward the rooming house. Despite the map my friend had drawn, I ended up getting lost. Luckily, a kind policeman helped me find my way. With his help, I finally reached my destination. God was watching over me.

As I headed toward my room, I couldn't help but overhear the conversations of my Bank Examiner roommates, all from different states. It was a diverse group and I was excited to get to know them.

However, as we began to chat, it became clear that none of them shared my faith in Jesus Christ. For the next 6 weeks, we would engage in many deep conversations about God's plan of salvation and I was determined to share truths from Bible verses with them.

As the weeks went on, my University educated classmates became like a second family to me. They saw me as a farm boy from a small town.  But, they embraced our differences and we grew closer because of it.

My journey may have been filled with challenges, but it brought me to a place where I would grow as a banker, share my faith and make lifelong friendships.