Transcontinental Air Transport
Encyclopedia
Transcontinental Air Transport (T-A-T) was an airline founded in 1928 by Clement Melville Keys
that merged in 1930 with Western Air Express to form what became TWA
.
Keys enlisted the help of Charles Lindbergh
to design a transcontinental network to get government airmail contracts. Lindbergh was to establish numerous airports across the country in this effort.
On July 7, 1929, it began the first transcontinental trips. It initially offered a 48-hour train/plane trip with the first leg being on the Pennsylvania Railroad
overnight from New York City
to Columbus, Ohio
, where passengers boarded a plane at Port Columbus International Airport
that included stops in Indianapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City, Wichita, and finally Waynoka, Oklahoma
. There, passengers caught the Santa Fe Railroad for an overnight trip to Clovis, New Mexico
, where they would take a flight to Albuquerque, Winslow, Az., Los Angeles, or San Francisco. Its slogan was "Harnessing the Plane and the Iron Horse."
Cynics of the implementation of the plane/train concept were to deride its TAT abbreviation as "Take A Train."
The plane used the Ford Trimotor
and was one of the first to offer meals en route. It was also one of the first to be geared to passenger service (while most airlines at the time had focused on air mail).
In 1929 it merged with Maddux Air Lines
and in 1930, during what was to become the Air Mail scandal
, it merged with Western Air Express to form Transcontinental & Western Air (T & WA) that was to become TWA
.
Clement Melville Keys
Clement Melville Keys who as a financier was involved with founding of aviation companies Curtiss-Wright, China National Aviation Corporation, North American Aviation and TWA....
that merged in 1930 with Western Air Express to form what became TWA
Twa
The Twa are any of several hunting peoples of Africa who live interdependently with agricultural Bantu populations, and generally hold a socially subordinate position: They provide the farming population with game in exchange for agricultural products....
.
Keys enlisted the help of Charles Lindbergh
Charles Lindbergh
Charles Augustus Lindbergh was an American aviator, author, inventor, explorer, and social activist.Lindbergh, a 25-year-old U.S...
to design a transcontinental network to get government airmail contracts. Lindbergh was to establish numerous airports across the country in this effort.
On July 7, 1929, it began the first transcontinental trips. It initially offered a 48-hour train/plane trip with the first leg being on the Pennsylvania Railroad
Pennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
overnight from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, where passengers boarded a plane at Port Columbus International Airport
Port Columbus International Airport
Port Columbus International Airport , commonly shortened to Port Columbus, is a Class C international airport located east of downtown Columbus, Ohio, USA. It is managed by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, which also oversees operations at Rickenbacker International Airport and Bolton Field...
that included stops in Indianapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City, Wichita, and finally Waynoka, Oklahoma
Waynoka, Oklahoma
Waynoka is a city in Woods County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 927 at the 2010 census. It is 4 miles away from Little Sahara State Park.-Geography:Waynoka is located at ....
. There, passengers caught the Santa Fe Railroad for an overnight trip to Clovis, New Mexico
Clovis, New Mexico
Clovis is the county seat of Curry County, New Mexico, United States. Its population was 32,667 at the 2000 census; according to 2010 Census Bureau estimates, the population had risen to 37,775....
, where they would take a flight to Albuquerque, Winslow, Az., Los Angeles, or San Francisco. Its slogan was "Harnessing the Plane and the Iron Horse."
Cynics of the implementation of the plane/train concept were to deride its TAT abbreviation as "Take A Train."
The plane used the Ford Trimotor
Ford Trimotor
The Ford Trimotor was an American three-engined transport plane that was first produced in 1925 by the companies of Henry Ford and that continued to be produced until June 7, 1933. Throughout its time in production, a total of 199 Ford Trimotors were produced...
and was one of the first to offer meals en route. It was also one of the first to be geared to passenger service (while most airlines at the time had focused on air mail).
In 1929 it merged with Maddux Air Lines
Maddux Air Lines
Maddux Air Lines was an airline based in Southern California that operated Ford Tri-motors in California, Arizona, and Mexico in the late 1920s.- Founding :...
and in 1930, during what was to become the Air Mail scandal
Air Mail Scandal
The Air Mail scandal, also known as the Air Mail fiasco, is the name that the American press gave to the political scandal resulting from a congressional investigation of a 1930 meeting , between Postmaster General Walter Folger Brown and the executives of the top airlines, and to the disastrous...
, it merged with Western Air Express to form Transcontinental & Western Air (T & WA) that was to become TWA
Twa
The Twa are any of several hunting peoples of Africa who live interdependently with agricultural Bantu populations, and generally hold a socially subordinate position: They provide the farming population with game in exchange for agricultural products....
.
Articles
- American Heritage article
- PBS Chasing Sun profile
- Biography of Clement Melville Keys
- Alphabetilately profile