Background

We lovers of TWA have always had something in abundance which few other airlines could match. We have had many a celebrity. Some heroes, some villains, but celebrities all. From the storied days of Howard Hughes to the nightmare dusks of Carl Icahn, TWA has always been a magnet to the rich and powerful.

But beyond the spotlight of billionaire movie moguls and greedy corporate raiders, there were numerous other stars and other heroes who were associated with TWA over the years and whose contributions will have an everlasting effect.

The “TWAer” certificate was the inspiration of one such TWA celebrity hero, who has through his actions over the years, defined for us what it really means to be a true “TWAer”.  And what does it mean? Simply put, a “TWAer” is a person dedicated to TWA, whether an employee, a retiree, a furloughee, a passenger or merely an airline enthusiast who has been bitten by the TWA bug. If you love TWA, you are a “TWAer”.

Our hero, and the standard by which a “TWAer” is measured, is one of the many thousands of people who have proudly worn the TWA uniform over its 76 year history. He is a Captain who began flying for TWA following World War II. In the mid-1980’s he retired, not because he had reached the mandatory retirement age of 60, (he had) but no doubt because he saw Carl Icahn fast approaching in the rear view mirror of his L-1011.

His name is Captain Randy Kramer. He is a suave, sophisticated, extraordinarily handsome and charming gentleman, who is also a cigar-smoking lady’s man. In other words, he is the epitome of a Captain’s Captain.   

Not long after his involuntary retirement, Captain Randy became bored and restless. He was simply too young to be retired, and he had already given a “visual check ride” to every available woman in the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles, California, the place he calls home. His beautiful “TWA Gal” Sally, herself a former TWA Flight Attendant, was also tired of him hanging around the house and interfering with her business.

So, Captain Randy, a restless, retired, one-woman man, had to find a way of keeping himself occupied. As it turns out, he didn’t have far to look. Los Angeles International Airport, or LAX in airline jargon, harkened him back into service for TWA, as its Ambassador of Goodwill. Captain Randy dug into his closet in the Mohave Desert and retrieved his TWA uniform from the mothballs. He began making daily appearances in the TWA terminal at LAX.

He spent his days greeting TWA’s many passengers as they embarked or arrived on TWA flights to or from exotic and mysterious destinations such as St. Louis, and later, Fresno and Bakersfield. He was also of great assistance to the TWA employees at LAX, who had heartily encouraged his return engagement.

Captain Randy’s escapades at LAX soon attracted media attention and he became a television star, featured for his selfless dedication to TWA and the countless antics he performed at TWA’s terminal. Through his many years of flying for TWA, Randy had many a celebrity passenger on board his flights. Now it was he who was the celebrity, thanking his passengers for flying TWA.

During these times at LAX, Captain Randy also successfully lobbied for the establishment of an In-N-Out Burger franchise at the airport perimeter. He can often be found there hosting roundtable discussions with like-minded TWA groupies. This In-N-out location is the only one in the country that also serves cheap Scotch, one of the Captain’s finest accomplishments.

In 2001, TWA was acquired by American Airlines, after a fierce bidding war between American, JAG (Jet Acquisitions Group) and FLAG (Friendly Little Acquisition Group). According to FLAG’s CEO, MrMarky, FLAG actually won and the results remain in dispute. American continued to operate TWA as a separate brand for a time, and Randy continued to make his appearances at LAX, greeting TWA’s passengers.

Soon however, the TWA brand name began to disappear, and along with it, many of TWA’s LAX employees, who had lost their seniority and were furloughed when economic hard times began to plague the airline industry. Though American’s management had a true appreciation for Captain Randy, and encouraged him to continue his public relations efforts, it just wasn't the same, without the TWA airplanes and TWA employees. So reluctantly, and with a heavy heart, the Captain decided to retire once again, 18 years after his first TWA retirement.

American Airlines presented him with a handsome glass eagle sculpture whose plaque recognized the Captain for his years of post-retirement service and dedication to TWA. Our hero caught the next cab to Encino. After first becoming an EXTWACAPTAIN, he now also became EXLAX.

Shortly after our beloved TWA’s acquisition, another TWAer, Nicholas Boyd, developed a website called TWAlive, dedicated to the memory of TWA and all TWAers. The Captain, Nick and Marky had become tried and true buddies by virtue of their camaraderie on “Smilin’ Jack’s Hangar Talk”, a website discussion board created by Smilin’ Jack, another TWA pilot from tropical and exotic, greater St. Louis. When Nick posed a question over at Jack’s about “TWAer Eligibility”, Randy responded as follows:

“This ”TWAer” thing really should be a top priority program handled by a committee of “insiders”only. This is a suggestion: Anybody can say they are a TWAer. We should have documented evidence. Something we can be proud of and even hang on a wall. Any wall…It should contain a touch of humor, maybe a lot of humor. (This is where Mr. Marky comes in) There should be a touch of aviation from the past in the form of a picture of a TWA plane. (This is where Nick swings into action) By now it is obvious we are talking about a certificate to each and every person who ever loved our airline. It should be possible to put something like this on the screen and leave a blank space to be filled in by whomever would care to make a copy, and become a member.”

So, in honor of the Captain’s request, the definition of a true “TWAer” and the “TWAer” Certificate were born. Nick created the certificate graphics, while Marky crafted the wording and nit-picked every little flaw in Nick’s design work, until the final document was a semi-masterpiece, suitable for framing in the guest bathroom. Captain Randy was christened as the “Chairman Emeritus” of all “TWAers”, with Nick designated as “Membership Chairman” and Marky as “Royal Ambassador”, which means absolutely nothing, but he likes the way it sounds, and it does represent the glory days when TWA’s First Class service was called “Royal Ambassador”, and was second to none, or second to Nun, when the Pope was on board.

And so, we dedicate this certificate, with Seniority Number One to you, Captain Randy Kramer, and all of the “TWAers” who follow in your footsteps.

Best Wishes,

Nick & Marky