AIRWAYS HISTORY Pacific Air Lines – Part 2 : Route of the Jethawks
campaign that would create ‘ buzz ’ for Pacific . Freberg ’ s work was known for being unorthodox , and his work for Pacific Air Lines proved to be no exception .
In a campaign he called ‘ Sweaty Palms ’, introduced in May 1967 concurrent with the inaugural of nonstop Burbank- San Francisco service , Stan Freberg played on the public ’ s fear of flying .
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19 20 An F-27 and a Martin 4-0-4 , both wearing the company ’ s rather dull mid- 1960s livery . // PACIFIC AIR LINES PORTFOLIO VIA DAN VEENSTRA
21 A group of Pacific Flight Attendants converse in front of F-27 N2778R . // MIKE HAYWOOD PHOTO VIA PACIFIC AIR LINES PORTFOLIO - DAN VEENSTRA
22 Boeing 727- 193 N2979G is fourth down the row in this 1966 Boeing Company photo at Renton , Washington . // PROCTOR / LIVESEY / THOMAS COLLECTION
23 Pacific Air Lines published this large booklet to introduce the company ’ s Boeing 727s . // DAVID H . STRINGER COLLECTION
Full-page newspaper print ads began with : “ Hey there ! You with the sweat in your palms ,” and continued with the pronouncement , “ Most people are scared witless of flying .” Flight Attendants were instructed to announce after each landing , “ We made it ! How about that ?” Hot pink lunch pails containing a rabbit ’ s foot , a small security blanket , and Silly Putty were passed out to passengers . There were plans to paint the exterior of one of the 727s to look like a railway steam locomotive . That particular aircraft was to be equipped with a train whistle and recorded train sounds were to be played in the cabin .
Fortunately , the scheme never made it as far as painting a jetliner to resemble a train . Time magazine ran a story about the ad campaign using the words “ macabre ” and “ buffoonery .” Some members of Pacific ’ s Board of Directors were not pleased with the content of the promotion and the company ’ s Vice President of Marketing and its Director of Advertising resigned . Stan Freberg ’ s ad campaign was withdrawn in June 1967 .
As part of a company makeover that included a new aircraft
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