It's a Saturday afternoon, and I'm headed to Oakland International Airport to fly into the past in the first DC-3 military plane ever built. Restored to its original polished glory, the sleek silver beacon is a reminder of a more romantic age of air travel. A time when the trip really was half the adventure.
For the crew, decked out in vintage outfits, the hour-long ride isn't about airline regulations - it's about keeping your champagne glass full and the Andrews Sisters cranking. "You don't have to fasten your seat belt, and you're welcome to come visit the cockpit," pilot James Carson announces. "Treat the plane like it's your home." Since the aircraft's cushioned interior feels more like my living room than a cramped jet, it's easy to oblige his request. Before takeoff we are encouraged to check out the controls, kick the rubber wheels, and peer into the original 1,350 horsepower Pratt & Whitney radial engine.
At takeoff the engines sputter, and the plane gently rises into the crisp blue sky. From an average flying altitude of 1,500 feet, the world below looks like a toy version of itself. The slow pace of 120 mph makes it easy to recognize city landmarks.
When these planes first flew in the 1940s, they could travel a maximum of roughly 1,000 miles before they had to refuel - a trip from San Francisco to New York took a couple of days. But with this kind of comfort and ease, it wouldn't have been bad if it took a week.
The next time you're squished into a 747 with an overweight businessman breathing down your neck, remember that it wasn't always about speed and economy. Once upon a time getting there really was half the fun.
Otis Spunkmeyer Air: US$115 per person, $130 for sunset flights, $165 for a jump-seat behind the cockpit. Contact: (800) 938 1900.
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