In 1983, America West Airlines was launched. The Tempe based company would later merge with US Airways and take the US Airways name. It would eventually merge with American Airlines.
In the 1980s' America West was a smaller company and the employees were loyal and determined to help it succeed.
"It is a family, literally a family," said Leslie Bohi. Flight Attendant for America West. "It's not corporate America. You are flying with your brothers and sisters."
Over 600 of those former employees came together for a reunion in Chandler. It was a time to catch up.
It was a much smaller airline back in the
80's and everyone did their part.
"We did everything from ramp, reservations, tickets, gates, weights and balances, loading bags to flight attending. We were cross utilized and it was a challenge and it was a fun challenge," said Sylvia Chimbo. A flight attendant for America West.
The former employees say the Tempe based airline helped bring the world to Phoenix.
"When America West started that helped this whole metropolitan area boom," said Greg Fernandez, Customer Representative for America West.
At first, the airline only reached a hand full of markets and when it started flying to the Big Apple and it was an exciting time for everyone.
"Our first flight to New York, I was on it. We had five passengers on it but that's okay because after that it exploded, just so many people and a lot of good times," said Chimbo.
It's often said behind a strong company is a dedicated staff and the former America West employees say they were more than that.
"We all remember that family feeling. Everybody knew each other. How we all got along with each other. It was just a great time to be a part of the airline," said Natalie Wiltz, Flight attendant for America West.
Many of the America West Airlines employees followed the airline through both mergers and now work for American Airlines.
