Those of us working for Boeing considered ourselves the Cowboys (the good guys) and the Chrysler folks the Indians. Of course the Chrysler folks felt the same way.
Our team had a most curvaceous and lovely secretary named "Norma". She and I used to go water skiing together on weekends across Lake Ponchatrain on a beautiful river. I saw her in a bikini a lot and she was gorgeous.
One day our boss, Bill Dailey, came up to me and told me to escort "Norma" to the Chrysler side of our complex to deliver an important manila envelope to someone there. Here I am a little bitty thing and we had big guys on our team. I said "O.K." and "Norma" and I set off.
There were huge doors and regular people doors between us and Chrysler. "Norma" and I entered the people door. There was all the usual loud noises associated with assembling rockets-big bangs, clangs and screeches. Then we were spotted. Uh, oh!
All hell broke loose. The guys high up near the ceiling started yelling first and then it spread to the entire Chrysler area.
Then they spotted gorgeous "Norma". Catcalls, whistles and general mayhem followed us on our looooong walk through the facility. Where was this person we were to deliver the envelope to? All the way across the barn naturally. While the whistles were going on "Norma" became more and more angry. Her face became red, she scowled and had tight lips. Then the spitballs started flying about. Of course, they never reached us. The more this continued the madder "Norma" got. I have a light funny bone and the madder "Norma" became, the more tickled I became. I just couldn't stop laughing. The guys were not going to hurt us, they were just having a little fun.
We eventually reached our destination (the walk seemed like a mile) and delivered the envelope. In the 1960s no one ever thought to use golf carts in huge facilities but maybe there was a danger in using them.
Now, we had to walk all the way back and of course the mayhem started all over again. It was one of the funniest moments during my adventures on the Apollo Project.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Rivalry between Boeing and Chrysler at Michoud
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If I had been the Head Honcho, I would have had a "delivery" every day! Imagine all the total loss of productivity in man-hours in their side from hooting at you and Norma!
ReplyDeleteJim
Thanks, Jim! Ha! Ha!
ReplyDeleteWell, a little fun must fall in every job!