There weren't jetways at FAI on PA 801/800 in 1971...

On Jun 4, 2026 10:15 PM, "Robert S. Distler via Mifnet" <[email protected]> wrote:

Daniel,

 

Yes, if your Alaskan adventure occurred to and from Haneda, then perhaps facilities at Fairbanks were fairly rudimentary.

 

Bob

 

 

From: Dan Solon via Mifnet <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, 04 June, 2026 01:17
To: [email protected]
Cc: Dan Solon <[email protected]>
Subject: [Mifnet
🛰 76320] Re: Alaskan Adventures

 

Bob,

 

Pretty sure this would have been very early 1970s, definitely pre-jetway and also pre-Narita. 

On further recollection of the reason for this trip, I am pretty sure it was in both directions and 

definitely in dead of winter.

 

Agree with Simon that one would absolutely not want to meet either of the stuffed bears in their

earlier apex predator life cycle. They would probably prefer fresh caribou as a main course, but a human

being would suffice as a light pre-hibernation snack.

 

Daniel Solon

 

On Thu, Jun 4, 2026 at 5:16 AM Robert S. Distler via Mifnet <[email protected]> wrote:

Daniel,

 

Unsure of the time of the year (dark vs. light), but westbound Flight 801 transited Fairbanks in mid-afternoon, while eastbound Flight 800 did so in the wee hours of the morning, like around 0400.

 

I don’t recall having to deplane into the weather using stairs, since there were Jetways when I traveled at FAI.  Bit for a short period during nighttime runway repairs at FAI, I deplaned on Flight 800 at Eielson AFB; that surely was an adventure—for U.S. CIQ and company staff.

 

Northwest was first with JFK-NRT one-stop 707’s, before PAA got the rights, but NWA flew a somewhat shorter—and more commercially attractive for local passengers—route via Anchorage.

 

Still, many, many fond memories aboard the 707-321B’s.

 

Bob Distler

 

 

From: Dan Solon via Mifnet <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, 03 June, 2026 10:51
To: [email protected]
Cc: Dan Solon <[email protected]>
Subject: [Mifnet
🛰 76316] Re: is this a Martin? It's hauling fuel

 

(Very) cool memories of the only time I transited Fairbanks, probably around mid-winter of 1970-71,

aboard a Pan Am 707-321B Tokyo-New York, or v.v, one-stop. All pax had to deplane via stairs while we refueled.

Coldest air I have ever breathed. As I recall, there was an enormous taxidermed polar bear in the terminal.

 

Daniel Solon

Shivering at the recollection

 


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