In November 1949, under the plan of the Chinese Communist Party, China Airlines and Central Airlines, which were originally affiliated to the National Government, revolted in Beijing, which laid the foundation for the development of civil aviation in New China. At that time, New China had fewer than 30 aircraft and 12 short-haul routes. The crew members only consist of the captain, co-pilot, navigator, mechanic, and radio operator, but there are no full-time service personnel.
By 1955, the number of transport aircraft owned by China's civil aviation increased to 57, and four Il-14 aircraft were purchased from the Soviet Union for the first time, and there were 19 domestic and international routes.
In this context, Premier Zhou Enlai instructed that China's civil aviation industry should attach importance to service and recruit young women as flight attendants, who can be selected from Beijing's middle school students.
Note: Il-14 aircraft Source: General Aviation Network
In this way, Beijing’s universities and colleges have started the selection and recommendation work like a “pass through a sieve”. By the end of 1955, 16 Beijing middle school students and two staff from the Civil Aviation Administration of China became the first generation of flight attendants in New China after many interviews, physical examinations, and political reviews, and they were called the "18 Sisters in the Air."
Note: "Eighteen Sisters in the Air" Source: People's Daily Online
"Eighteen Sisters" are mostly eighteen or nine years old. They have excellent political conditions, qualified social relations, and excellent academics. In that era, the CAAC selected flight attendants mainly for "political elements", and appearance was put in a secondary position.
At that time, flight attendants were not recruited from the whole society, and only those who were trusted by the organization could be selected, so the profession of flight attendants has always been quite mysterious.
In the 1950s, those who were able to fly by plane were either foreign guests or leaders above the bureau level. For ordinary people, one month's salary is not even enough to buy a plane ticket. Even if you are wealthy, you must have a letter of introduction from your unit to buy a ticket. However, the "Eighteen Sisters" can enjoy the air journey and serve national leaders and foreign guests.
Wang Zhubao, 73 years old this year, was one of the "Eighteen Sisters" that year. From 1957 to 1967, she flew on Premier Zhou Enlai’s special plane many times, and accompanied him to dozens of flights across the country. city. Higher income and social status made the profession of "Stewardess" a "golden rice bowl" that everyone envied at the time.
Note: Zhou Enlai works on the prime minister’s plane. Source: Sina.com
. Note: The first batch of flight attendants of China's civil aviation. Source: Sina.com
However, it is not easy to handle this "golden rice bowl" well. Because the plane was small, there were only a dozen cabins, and the cabin was not sealed. Once it encounters strong air currents, the plane will be severely turbulent, and accidents such as airsickness and rapid descent will occur from time to time.
Note: Zhou Enlai, Wang Zhubao and other crew members took a group photo. Source: People's Daily Online:
Nowadays, China's civil aviation has opened nearly 3,000 routes, and the small passenger plane that could only carry more than a dozen people has developed into an air that can accommodate more than 500 people. "Big Mac".
The position of "Stewardess" is also open to the whole society for public recruitment, and the "political component" has long been considered a criterion. Factors such as academic qualifications, appearance, and personal comprehensive qualities have become new rigid indicators.
Editor: Yang Xiaoting, Ni Plastic
