whats with the name?

[montanapilot]

So having deep thoughts last night about 2 AM I was wondering. Why are ya'll named after a dead airline? I mean why not something modern or something. I know your owned by the former Pan Am but why keep association. I don't see any Braniff or Eastern Academies out there.

(this isnt a bashing post either I am honestly curious)

[Lima_Charlie]

I am not 100% sure, but I would think that name recognition is a big part of it. (It is actually quite amazing how many people still that the actual airline still exists!!) Being the sole surviving piece of Pan American Airways, I am sure that the upper brass thought keeping the name would be a good idea.

Hope this answer allows you to resume your normal sleep schedule...

[TheFlyingTurkey]

[ QUOTE ]
So having deep thoughts last night about 2 AM I was wondering. Why are ya'll named after a dead airline? I mean why not something modern or something. I know your owned by the former Pan Am but why keep association. I don't see any Braniff or Eastern Academies out there.

(this isnt a bashing post either I am honestly curious)

[/ QUOTE ]

From the history that I know, Pan Am (the Airline) owned its own flight training department, which was a seperate entity, and did training for other airlines as well. When Pan Am closed up shop, there was the training department, with a building full of sim's, so they kept it going, and kept the name.
With a world wide recognizable name like Pan Am, why change it?

[cime_sp]

You may see the same thing happen with United. They do a LOT of training for people other than their airline. I wouldn't be surprised to see their traiing department be spun off or survive in some form if United goes under.

[Lima_Charlie]

I find it just unfathomable for an entity as big and as wide reaching as united, can REALLY go under. I know Enron and all that, but it is still hard to imagine... (Just thinking "outloud")

[flyguy]

Well, Pan Am was one of the largest, if not the largest airline in the world, and its gone. United is not immune by any means.

[DE727UPS]

Around 87 or 88, I talked to a Pan Am pilot who was non-reving. He said that back when he got hired, Pan Am was THE place to go. Of course, things had changed over time.

I'll never forget reading an article in Aviation Week in 88 or 89 that predicted Pan Am would go under. I just sat there and said no way it will happen. They had been around so long. It wasn't long after that the shut the place down. Very sad.

Now...when I think of United, as hard as it is to believe that such a big airline could go under, I think back to Pan Am and realize ANYTHING can happen in this business.

[Lima_Charlie]

So what do you think it will take to "break the camel's back"? I mean how much can the employee's REALLY give up? Can United make enough changes to keep itself afloat??

[bike21]

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[/ QUOTE ]

From the history that I know, Pan Am (the Airline) owned its own flight training department, which was a seperate entity, and did training for other airlines as well. When Pan Am closed up shop, there was the training department, with a building full of sim's, so they kept it going, and kept the name.
With a world wide recognizable name like Pan Am, why change it?

[/ QUOTE ]

Your history is spot on. I was told the same thing when I went on a tour of the Pan Am facility in Miami (got to fly the A320 & B747 sims!!!)

Of course Pan Am airline did exist once again until last year on the east coast. I took off behind one of their 727's back in 2002 at JAX. The paint scheme was simple white with blue Pan Am letters. They were operated as Boston-Maine Airways for awhile I believe. Check out this link - News Pan Am

Too bad Pan Am has been shut down once again. I always loved the original Pan Am!

[Lima_Charlie]

Yeah, I did hear about a small operation on the east coast. Like DE727 said, even the demise of a power house like Pan American Airways is possible. It is kind of cool being the sole remain piece of that legacy, IMHO!