A Pan Am Flight Engineer Story: “I Need a Screw in the Galley”

Pan Am Flight Engineer Story for the books

I’ll never forget this Pan Am Flight Engineer story. Flying for Pan Am meant working with crew members from all over the world, often in situations where language, humor, and quick thinking collided in unforgettable ways. On one long-haul flight to Tokyo, a simple galley repair turned into a moment of laughter that has stayed with me for decades.

Life with an International Crew

Pan Am hired multilingual flight attendants from across the globe, which made sense for an airline serving dozens of international routes. Many spoke English well, but with charming accents that could sometimes lead to unexpected — and hilarious — moments.

A Flight to Tokyo

On Pan Am Flight 845 from San Francisco to Tokyo, we had a relief crew on board. I was the First Engineer, about to start my rest break, when a tall, striking Scandinavian flight attendant stepped into the cockpit. In a clear but heavily accented voice, she said:

“Excuse me gentlemen, but I need a screw in the galley… about this long.” She held her hands about eight inches apart.

Flight Attendant needs a screw in the galley

Of course, the Captain immediately quipped, “That’s a job for the Captain!” The co-pilot and relief engineer were quick to volunteer as well.

The First Engineer Steps Up

Since the relief engineer was in my seat, I spoke up: “Any screw job in the galley is the responsibility of the First Engineer!” So I headed back to the galley to investigate.

It turned out she meant exactly what she said — one of the ovens in the first-class galley had loose screws far in the back. All it required was a long screwdriver to tighten them. I fetched my eight-inch screwdriver from my flight bag and handled the repair.

Why You Always Treat Flight Attendants Well

In Pan Am, there was an unspoken rule: treat the flight attendants with respect. They controlled the food, and if you upset them, you might find your steak had “touched the floor” before it reached your plate. Treat them well, and you’d eat almost as well as the first-class passengers.

So yes — anytime a flight attendant needed “a screw in the galley,” I was there to assist.

If you enjoyed this Pan Am story, you’ll love my Pan Am Legacy Tributes and my upcoming book chronicling life and determination of generations before me. Visit my New Book Page to learn more