thin sheets of metal, rattling in the wind, and passengers stuck cotton in
By the end of the
1920s, travelers could still cross the country faster by train than by air.
Airplanes had to fly around mountains, could not fly safely at night, and had
to land frequently to refuel. Flying by air was uncomfortable and some
passengers wore overalls, helmets, and goggles. The airplanes were uninsulated
thin sheets of metal, rattling in the wind, and passengers stuck cotton in
their ears to stop the noise. Cabins were unpressurized—passengers chewed gum
to equalize the air pressure. Nevertheless, more and more people were flying.
The number of airline passengers in the United States grew from less than 6,000
in 1926 to approximately 173,000 in 1929. Businessmen comprised most of the
passengers, and more and more companies would pay for their employees to travel
by air.