Air Hostess On Tour

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32396, 8 September 1970, Page 2

Air Hostess On Tour

Europe had been saturated by American tourists and they were now looking towards the Pacific and New Zealand, said Miss Carolyn Penrod, an exchange air hostess from the United States.

Miss Penrod is in New Zealand for September with three other stewardesses from United Air Lines, on an exchange system with Air New Zealand.

The purpose of the exchange is to allow the American girls to travel on the usual Air New Zealand routes, personally informing the passengers about travel in the United States. Since Air New Zealand flies to 15 destinations in 10 countries the four air hostesses will have a busy month. United Air Lines, which Miss Penrod joined four years ago is the largest internal air line in the west employing 8000 stewardesses. She is based in Los Angeles. Before becoming a stewardess Miss Penrod studied

for a joint degree in sociology and social sciences, specialising in psychology, at the University of California. Language Studies

She also studied German, Spanish and French. “But I only know sufficient of these languages to explain a few things to travellers. I can just, make myself understood,” she said. The things she likes most about her job are the opportunities to go to many different places and the time off. She has visited the Caribbean, Greece and the surrounding islands and Paris.

Three or four days on, then four days off was the usual system, she said. “Photography, art type, occupies me during most of my time off and I am also studying photography at university extension courses." Miss Penrod and her fellow stewardesses are wearing their airline’s new uniform for the first time while they are in New Zealand. New Uniform

It is in bright red pure wool jersey worn with black lizard accessories, and black stockings in the winter, and

[white blouse and off-white stockings in the summer. There is a sleeveless pinafore dress bound in black worn over a black polonecked jumper, with a matching, collarless, long-shaped Jacket.. For the winter a red midi coat is added with a black fur collar and optional matching fur hat, and black shiny boots. A variety of scarfs in red, black and white prints completes the very smart outfit. “The alm of the new uniform is to provide as much variety as possible, while keeping to the basic colour scheme,” said . Miss Penrod. N.Z. Hostess Miss Elizabeth McDowell, who was an exchange stewardess from Air New Zealand visiting the United States in July, is accompanying Miss Penrod round New Zealand. She flew on routes from Los Angeles to all the major East Coast cities.

“I was surprised to find most Americans knew a little about New Zealand and they were very keen to learn more,” she said. The joint U.A.L.-A.N.Z. promotion based on a selection of tours to New Zealand and the South Pacific, is expected to attract 5000 more .American tourists during next year, -said Miss Brenda Baldwin, an Air New Zealand employee who is also accompanying Miss Penrod. AU of the tours feature eight days in New Zealand with time in Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch, Mount Cook, and Queenstown.