Strictly For

This Jet Set Is

Juniors

The first two members of the BOAC Junior Jet Club, June and Sydney Pearson, were enrolled aboard a prop-jet Britannia in March, 1957, when they flew from London to Salisbury. Now, more than 15 years later, the Pearson children have be come full-fare passengers and the JJC has a membership of 600,000 which makes it one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Started originally to develop line loyalty at an early age, the club now awards mileage certificates, holds parties, runs competitions and pro duces its own magazine, Fleetwings.

The club’s first president was Captain O. P. Jones, that father figure who took such an interest in its activities until he retired in 1967 and handed over to Captain Norman Bristow, VCIO Flight Training Manager. Captain Bristow, retired in the spring of 1972 and his successor is Captain A. R. F. Thompson of VC 10 Flight.

But behind the scenes, Mr Alan Woolston and Mr David Wine of BOAC’s Sales Promotion Department, are responsible for the detailed hard work involved in publishing Fleet wings and keeping membership lists up to date, distributing certificates and other material, as well as answer ing letters.

Although the club’s membership and administration is organised in London, each region deals with its own local request and activities.

India and Malaysia for instance, run highly successful parties, while other areas have film shows.

Responsible for the lion’s share of the membership—in Britain—is Miss Mary Marshall of Marketing UK who with her colleagues in Sales Pro motion, answers about 300 letters from youngsters every week.

The routine is that cabin staff hand out envelopes containing an enrol ment card, log book, JJC badge and an information sheet to all young passengers. The flight mileage is entered in the logs, which are then treasured by the children so that they can claim certificates. These are issued with a blue background seal for

25,000 miles, red for 50,000, silver for 75,000 and the coveted gold for 100,000. At present the members with the highest mileage records have flown more than 300,000.

Despite the enormity of the task, great consideration is given through out BOAC to all young travellers and their interest is encouraged on every occasion. This policy pays, too, as Mr Woolston points out recalling the time when a father arrived with his JJC son to book a flight when no BOAC service was available. Dad wanted to switch to another airline but the boy insisted they flew BOAC and they did.

Many big firms have sponsored competitions in Fleetwings for the youngsters. Raleigh, for instance, donated three bicycles, and Rank about £l5O worth of cameras.

Strange things happen to the children’s log books at times. Not that the little angels would ever stoop to fiddling the mileages. But children’s possessions, naturally enough, face hazards. One youngster wrote for a replacement as his had got wet and soggy in the bath, while another boy actually sent back what was left of his log after the family dog decided he liked the taste.

While this may sound good fun to you, it is business for BOAC, and it is served with a smile.

Captain A. R. F. Thompson chats with a member of the BOAC Junior Jet Club.