![]() ![]() Commercial flying became more affordable, and it was time to sell the planes and take the next step. Bob,” which coincided with the deregulation of the airline industry. After years of working on various committees, McKenna eventually served as President. McKenna became more and more involved with the club, including in the role of Trip Director on numerous outings – something she still does today. ![]() They got married – and then it was ‘wheels up’ and on our way.” One of our trips began with the wedding of the co-pilot and one of the attendants. “Professional to the core, but lots of fun. “Captain Bob Hurt (a retired Naval Commander) was an absolute delight, as were the wonderful flight attendants,” said club Secretary Sandy Sincavitz. ”įor 22 years after its inception, Shillelaghs made good use of that plane, enough so that they were able to employ their own crew. Aside from the price and the ease of the travel, the other members were just so fun and welcoming. THE CLUB started with short weekend and holiday trips, mainly to the Caribbean Islands and Mexico, then venturing farther afield into Central and South America, although McKenna’s first trip, that she took with her cousin in 1968, was to Toronto “for the amazing cost of $39,” she recalls. We even had to demonstrate a nighttime evacuation in front of FAA inspectors.” The FAA made us all practice emergency drills. “In order to be on a flight, you had to be crew or member. “Those were some crazy times,” McKenna reminisced. “If you can believe it,” she says, “they painted that name on the side of the plane…until they ran out of room!” As the first official travel club in the country, the founders of Shillelaghs started their organization basing their bylaws on those of swimming pool clubs, and eventually wound up assisting the FAA in writing the regulations to govern this new type of travel. (You’ll have to ask McKenna more about that name choice). “And they did.” Shillelaghs was incorporated in 1964 under the name of Emerald Shillelagh Chowder and Marching Society. “So they said ‘Let’s start a travel club!,’” laughed McKenna. And they didn’t quite know how to make a 79-passenger plane financially viable. Unfortunately, none of the owners could fly this type of craft. Licensed small-craft pilots, they wanted access to easy, long-weekend travel, and knew of a DC 7 4-engine prop plane being retired and offered for sale. The atmosphere was “family reunion.” While there was plenty of catching up going on around the room, a majority of these folks stay in touch, and many still see each other regularly on one or more travel adventures or social events throughout the year.Įxecutive Director Carolyn McKenna explained that it all began when four Virginia businessmen decided to buy a plane. Shillelaghs Travel Club of Vienna celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a gala luncheon at The Westwood Country Club that was attended by more than 175 members, vendors and guests. ![]()
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