Airport Minute Podcast

Summary Vern heads back to the cockpit after talking to Gwen. Meanwhile, Gwen is in the Tourist section. She stops at Row 23, and confronts Ada. “Excuse me, Madam,” says Gwen. “May I see your ticket?” Ada looks up from her knitting. “My ticket?” she asks. “Oh, that nice young man at the gate took […]

Summary Mr. Schultz doesn’t understand Captain Demerest’s double-talk, so he asks his son, Schuyler. Schuyler doesn’t have a clue, either, but won’t admit it. “What did he mean by that, Son?” asks Mr. Schultz. “Never mind, Father,” replies Schuyler. “I’ll tell you later.” Vern walks through the Tourist section, nodding and smiling at the passengers. […]

Summary As the stars sweep to the right in the cockpit windows, Flight Two begins its slow turn back to Lincoln International. Vern is talking to Gwen in the First Class galley. “So, delay serving dinner,” says Vern. “Put every cup, bottle, glass, and everything else away and lock it up.” Vern gestures with a […]

Summary Gwen and Vern are talking about the man in 23A, D.O. Guerrero. “Ruth told me that when she was serving the snacks, he wouldn’t use the pull-down table,” says Gwen. “He insisted on putting his tray on top of his case.” “Sounds as if that’s where he’s got it,” says Captain Harris. “Then he […]

Summary Joe Patroni  is in Mel’s office, explaining the dangers of high-altitude explosive decompression. If the passengers don’t get on oxygen in forty-five seconds, “It’s goodbye,” according to Joe. Back on board Flight Two at the same location Joe Patroni was talking about with the model. Guerrero maintains a tight grip on his briefcase. Ada […]

Summary Joe Patroni continues to explain the potential damage to the 707 if Guerrero sets off his bomb in 23-A, and how it’s fortunate there’s nothing critical in the skin of the ship. He points at the cross-section model in Mel’s office. “All the control cables run along here,” says Joe, running his hand along […]

Summary Vern gets ready to copy down the New York TGA dispatcher’s message. “Okay, New York,” says Vern, “go ahead.” “Strong probability, repeat: strong probability,” says the New York dispatcher, “exists that passenger D.O. Guerrero, seat assignment twenty-three A, may have an explosive device in his attaché-type briefcase.” The cockpit crew glances at each other. […]

Summary Mel is interviewing Inez Guerrero about her husband in his office. Tanya sits next to Inez. “I mean,” says Mel, “what was he in the hospital for?” “He, um, was sick,” says Inez. She looks away from Mel. Mel looks at her. “A mental patient?” She nods. “Mrs Guerrero,” says Mel, “what did your […]

Summary Inez is explaining to Tanya about the letter from the travel agency she received just that night. “I only saw it after he left,” says Inez. Mel leans forward. “Does your husband have business in Italy?” he asks Inez. Inez shakes her head. Mel stands up and walks toward where Inez is seated. “What […]

Summary Vern and Gwen are talking in the First Class galley. “How do you feel?” asks Vern. “I feel great, Vern!” replies Gwen, “No fainting spells, no craving for pickles, no morning sickness… It’s funny — I didn’t think you were the kind of a guy who would worry about a thing like this.” “Neither […]

Summary Ned Ordway’s men found Inez Guerrero. Mel points at Tanya. “Hold that call,” he says, “we may have something to add.” “I’ll call you right back,” says Tanya, hanging up the phone. Back in the cockpit of Flight Two, Stewardess Maria is complaining to Flight Engineer Cy Jordan. “Now, they say it’s too cold!” […]

Summary Ada is describing how she and Mr. Davidson thought Guerrero was sure to win “the contest.” Guerrero is puzzled. “The one that comes the closest to guessing our time of arrival,” says Ada, pulling out a brochure, “wins a sightseeing trip.” “Oh,” mumbles Guerrero, ” I didn’t kn– I just do this as sort […]

Summary Tanya and Mel are listening insurance agent Bunny on Mel’s desktop speakerphone. “He paid me with six one-dollar bills,” says Bunny, “and the rest in changes, mostly in nickels and dimes. It – it seemed to be just about all he had.” Mel looks at Tanya. “Thanks,” says Mel, and hangs up. He picks […]

Summary Mel’s on the phone to Lt. Ned Ordway, the head of the Lincoln Airport Security. “Remember the woman that you turned over to Mrs. Livingston?” asks Mel. “Well, she’s given us the slip.  She’s probably still in the terminal. You’ve got to find her, Ned.” “We’ll sure try,” replies Ned. “Will you round up […]

Summary Inez is sitting in Mel’s anteroom, staring at the crumpled $5 bill Ned had given her. Inside Mel’s office, Tanya is explaining the situation to Mel. “But the downtown terminal told me they remembered a man with an attaché case..” says Tanya. Mel is looking at Inez’s folded-up special delivery letter from the travel […]

Summary Mel and Cindy are still talking about divorce arrangements “And I promise there won’t be any trouble,” says Cindy. “You may see the girls as often as you wish.” “Thank you,” says Mel. Cindy heads for the door. “As a matter of fact, you’ll probably see them more often,” says Cindy, picking her gloves […]

Summary Mel and Cindy are still talking about getting a divorce. Mel wants to know if Cindy would reconsider. “No, it’s too late, Mel,” says Cindy. “But it’s not just the girls I’m thinking of. There’s someone else, Mel, and there has been for quite a while. Someone who makes me feel wanted, occasionally.” Mel […]

Summary Mel and Cindy are talking about getting a divorce. “Do you think that will make them feel more secure?” asks Mel. “A broken home?” “It’s better to come from a broken home,” says Cindy, “than to live in one.” “You may be right,” says Mel. “And you may be right about me, too. I […]

Summary Tanya realizes this Guerrero woman is the wife of the suspicious man on the Flight Two. Meanwhile, Cindy Bakersfeld is in the middle of yelling at Mel in his office. “– and we don’t have a home anymore. We have a waiting room!” says Cindy, “a place where I can walk the floor and […]

Summary Mel answers the black courtesy phone. The operator says, “Your wife insisted that I page you. She’s waiting for you in your office.” “Thanks,” says Mel, hanging up the phone. The airport announcer says, “There will be a 45 minute delay of departure for American Airlines Flight 46 to Boston.” Mel leaves the cafeteria […]