by Dan Verner
The receptionist looked over at him. “Captain Harrison will see you now, Captain Kerchner.”
“Thank you,” Otto said, and went over and opened the door marked, “Captain Robert Harrison, Chief Pilot.”
Harrison was seated at his desk, dressed in a dark business suit. He finished writing on the paper in front of him and then stood up, offering Otto his hand. As he made eye contact, Otto saw a flicker in his eyes and thought, Uh oh. Here it comes.
“Captain Kerchner, Robert Harrison. Good to meet you. Please have a seat.” He indicated a chair across from him. Otto shook his hand and sat down.
“Did you have a good trip over?”
“Yes. I flew into the airport. Very smooth flight.”
“I have no doubt, with your piloting skills. You were with the Eighth?”
“Yes, twenty-two missions and then I crashed on the twenty-third.”
“I was with the 468th in the Pacific.”
“Did you know Paul Tibbits?”
“He was with a special group, but, yeah, we all knew who he was. He was a pilot’s pilot. Now, let me say first that your record is very impressive. Ordinarily we’d hire you on the spot, but—”
He hesitated, and Otto waited expectantly. Here it comes, he thought.
“Well, quite frankly, Captain, speaking aviator to aviator and veteran to veteran, we have appearance requirements.”
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry, but you don’t meet them. We have to think of our public image in this business.” Otto read genuine regret in his voice and eyes. “Maybe you’d like to try our freight division. I am truly sorry, Captain.”
There was no use beating a dead horse. Otto stood and offered his hand to Harrison. The chief pilot shook it, and said, “Perhaps in the future things will change. I’ll keep your file active and let you know if it does. Thank you for coming in.”
“Thank you for your time,” Otto turned and walked back into the reception area. The receptionist looked up.
“I’m truly sorry, Captain. I hope you can fly for us one day.” She must have known about the policy since Harrison’s thick walnut door remained closed during their conversation.
“Thank you, ma’am. You’re most kind.”
Otto took the elevator down to the street and lost himself in the throngs on the sidewalk. He was somewhat accustomed to the way he looked by now, but that didn’t mean everyone else was. He would have to think about his next step, his plan B. He always had the airport, and maybe something would come of that. He looked around for a cab to take him to the Minneapolis field.
***
Mata heard the sound of Otto’s car pulling into the driveway late that afternoon and rushed out to meet him. She stopped when she saw his face. “Otto, what happened?”
He leaned wearily against the car. “They wouldn’t take me because of the way I look.”
“The way you look? What does that have to do with flying?”
“I don’t know, Mata. Something to do with maintaining the image of the airline.”
“Well, who is the president of it? We’ll fight this! We’ll make them see that you are the best damn pilot in the world.”
Otto waved his hand. “We won’t win, Mata. It’s their policy and their company. I’ll think of something else. Enlarging the airport or something.”
Mata put her arm around him. “If that’s what you want,” she said.
“Well, I wanted to be a pilot for Northwest, but that didn’t work out.”
“We’ll find something better,” Mata told him. “I have faith in you.”
Chapter 46
Serendipity—January, 1946
Otto threw himself into the airport with renewed energy. Betty was there most days and they enjoyed each other’s company as they worked and as they took breaks. Otto had moved a bed into the back room and sometimes stayed there overnight. So did Betty.
He was going through paperwork early on a Monday morning. Betty had not come in yet, but he heard a car pull up in front of the office. He looked out and saw it was Mr. Ross, driven by his chauffeur. Otto hurried outside.
James opened the door for Mr. Ross, saying, “Good morning, Otto.”
“Good morning, James, how are you?”
“I’m fine, sir. Mr. Ross has something to ask you.”
Probably my intentions regarding his daughter, Otto thought, but Ross shook his hand as he got out of the car. “Good morning, Otto. I need a big favor.”
“Good morning, Mr. Ross. I am at your disposal.”
“I need to get to Minneapolis this morning for a last-minute meeting and I want to see if you would fly me there. Libeau moved away last month and I lost my air transport.”
“Certainly I can, Mr. Ross, as a favor to you. I don’t have a license to fly passengers but I can take you. Give me a few minutes to prep the aircraft and we’ll be on our way.” At the same time he was thinking, if I get a lot of these I’ll need a faster, bigger capacity aircraft and a license. He tucked the idea in the back of his mind. If he couldn’t fly for Northwest, he could fly for himself.
“Thank you, young man,” Ross said. “And by the way, Mrs. Ross and I are very pleased that you are seeing Betty. We were never impressed with her husband. I don’t know why the bank hired such a scoundrel. They did so over my head. The truth will out. It always does.”
“Thank you, sir. Betty is a wonderful young woman. She should be here in a few minutes. Please have a seat in the ready room and we’ll be all set ready to go in a few minutes.”
***
Otto made the trip in record time with a tailwind and spent the two hours Ross was gone looking around the airport. He studied the bulletin board in the pilots’ lounge and saw a notice for an auction of war surplus aircraft the next month. Some of the aircraft listed, especially the Beechcraft twins, seemed to be ideal for his purposes. He made a note of the date and time and a mental note to talk to Mata and Betty about his plans.
Mr. Ross appeared promptly at the time he had promised. Otto helped him into the J-5 and they were ready to return. “Did your meeting go well, sir?” he asked Ross.
“Very well, Otto, thank you.” He looked thoughtful. “I have a series of meetings coming up and would like for you to fly me to them if you don’t mind.”
“I’ll be glad to,” Otto replied. “I’ve decided to start an air taxi business once I do all the paperwork and acquire some bigger, more powerful aircraft.”
Ross clapped him on the back. “Splendid! And if you need financing, you know where to come. We’ll offer you our best rates on a loan.”
“Thank you, sir; that’s very generous. I’ll talk to Mata and Betty about it and keep you informed. In the meantime we can continue to use the Cub. But I think you’ll like the Beechcraft once we get them.”
The flight back was uneventful and they arrived back in Pioneer Lake mid-afternoon. Betty came out to greet them as Otto taxied up.
She kissed her father on the cheek as he got out. “Daddy! So good to see you! I got Otto’s note about your trip. I hope it went well.”
“It went swimmingly,” Ross returned. “And your young man has a sound idea for a business flying people around. I’m sure he’ll tell you all about it.”
James had brought the car back and held the door for Ross as he walked toward the car. He waved to Otto and Betty. “Next Tuesday, same time, Otto. Good-bye for now.” He got in and the car drove off.
Betty took Otto’s arm as they walked to the office. “So tell me about this business idea. I want to hear all about it.”
“I’d rather wait until Mata can hear all the details. How about if you come over about six tonight and have dinner with us?”
“You haven’t been to my house for a while. What if you and Mata come for dinner? I’ll fix it myself since Mama and Daddy are using James and Sarah now. Just one person doesn’t need a butler and a maid.”
“All right, I’ll tell Mata,” Otto said. “I’m sure she will be delighted not to
have to cook. I’ll tell you the basics, though. We’re going to buy a couple of twin-engine surplus Beechcraft and use them to run an air service from Pioneer Lake to Minneapolis and maybe a couple of other cities.”
Betty clapped her hands. “What a wonderful idea!” she exclaimed. “And that will certainly help the airport grow.”
***
Otto rang the doorbell at Betty’s house promptly at six. Mata had put on one of her church dresses and Otto wore his suit. Betty promptly opened the door. “Come in, come in,” she told them, kissing first Mata and then Otto on the cheek. She showed them into the parlor where drinks were ready. “I hope martinis are all right.”
“Just fine,” Mata said. “I’ve acquired quite a taste for them.”
“They’re better than dark beer, I’d say,” Otto noted. He raised his glass. “A toast: to our airline business.”
“To our business,” the other two echoed, clinking their glasses with his and taking a quick sip.
They chatted for a while and then Betty stood up. “Dinner’s ready,” she said. “Let’s eat.”
They talked as they ate.
“I think we can operate as a charter so we can see what kind of business is out there,” Otto said. “This beef is delicious, Betty.”
“Thank you, Otto. Sarah showed me how to make it.”
“I’ve checked over the finances, and the income from the airport will fund the purchase of the aircraft,” Mata said. “I’m going by average price at auction from last week.”
“How do you find these things out, Mata?”
“I have my ways.”
“I know that.”
“So, anyhow, I’ll file papers for our incorporation as a business. We need a name for the Department of Financial Institutions, though.”
There was silence as they contemplated various names.
“What about ‘OK Airlines,’” Betty asked. “You know, after your nickname, Otto.”
“That sounds like a cowboy airline. Not the image we want, I think.”
“What about the initials of our first names?” Mata said. “You know, ‘MOB Airlines.’”
Otto made a wry face. “We lost our mob connection when Wilson died.”
“Oh. You’re right.”
“What about Pioneer Lake Airlines?” Betty asked.
“Well, that says something about where we fly from. It doesn’t say where we fly to,” Mata offered.
“Wisconsin Airlines, then,” Betty said.
“We wouldn’t fly to Wisconsin only. We’ll be flying to Minnesota as well,” Mata told her.
“W and M Airlines, then?” Betty said.
“I’ve been thinking of M and M Airlines.” Otto said thoughtfully. “That could stand for ‘Mata and Maria’ in honor of you and Mama, Mata, and for my B-17. It also could stand for Milwaukee and Madison since we could fly to those places.”
“I like that,” Betty said.
“So do I,” Mata added.
“Well,” Otto told them as he raised his glass, “To M and M Airlines, then. May we prosper.”
“Hear, hear,” the other two said.
Chapter 47
M & M Airlines—June, 1946
Six months later, M & M Airlines was thriving. Word got around that Otto would provide a fast, comfortable trip to Madison or Milwaukee for local businessmen, and for hunters and fishermen who came out to Pioneer Lake year ‘round to enjoy their sports. Initially, Betty and the Kerchners operated the service as a charter, with flights flown as needed. Otto found he was flying himself ragged, so he scheduled first one flight at noon, and then two other flights at ten and two. The Beechcraft was almost full for most flights, and about six months in, Otto realized he needed another pilot and also realized his airport manager had multi-engine experience. He hired Mata’s Pete as the airport manager and gladly gave up some of the runs to the cities to Jimmy.
Otto was at his desk one Friday morning. Betty was at her place in the outer office. She came in to where Otto sat and closed the door.
“Hey, good-lookin’,” Otto said.
“Don’t flatter me, Otto. We need to talk.”
“Those words usually mean I’m in trouble.”
“You’re not in trouble. I just want to talk seriously about something.”
“And what would that be? Business is booming.”
“I want to talk about us, you wonderful man.”
“Us?”
“Yes, I want to know where you think we are going.”
“I hadn’t thought much about it, Betty. I guess overseas I got used to just getting through the next few minutes or the next hour or the next day. I had general dreams and plans for after the war, but the accident changed all that.”
“Otto, I love you and I will stay with you no matter what. I just wanted you to know that.” She stood up and went back to her desk.
Otto sat there for a while, puzzled. Then he realized what Betty was saying. He arose from his desk and went out to her.
“Yes?” she said, looking up at him.
“We’re going flying, Betty.”
“Right now? I have all this paperwork.”
“I’m the boss and I’m giving you the rest of the morning off to go flying with me.”
Betty stacked the pile of papers on her desk in a neat pile. “Well, OK, boss.”
She walked with him to the J-5 which had some age on it but was kept in pristine condition by the A&P man Mata had hired. They were soon drawing repair and overhaul jobs from 100 miles around.
Otto climbed in first and then Betty after him. He ran a quick check of the controls and cranked the engine. It seemed puny by comparison with the B-17 or even the M&M Beechcrafts. They taxied out and held at the end of the runway to allow two aircraft on final to complete their landings.
Otto took off smoothly, and soon they were at ten thousand feet amid scattered clouds and brilliant sun. Otto fished around in his pocket and, holding the stick with his right hand, held the box out to Betty with his left.
“What’s this?” she asked.
“Something I should have given you months ago. Betty, will you marry me?” He pulled off the top of the box to reveal a brilliant diamond.
Betty’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, yes, Otto! Yes, my love!” They went into a long passionate kiss. Only the Piper slipping off to one side brought them back to where they were.
“Whoa,” Otto exclaimed, “We’d better straighten up and fly right.”
“Let’s land! I want to tell everyone! My parents will be so pleased! They think the world of you, Otto.”
Otto set the J-5 down on the smooth summer grass and taxied to the hangar. They worked together to secure the aircraft. Otto went over to tell Jimmy they would be away for a few hours. He and Betty hopped in her car and took off.
“Who should we tell first?” Otto asked her.
“Mata! She’s like a sister to me.”
“Me, too,” Otto chuckled and Betty smacked him in the head.
They soon were at the farmhouse. They walked in to find Mata cleaning the kitchen floor. She looked up as they came in, alarmed.
“What’s wrong? Has something happened? Tell me!” She quickly relaxed when she saw their faces were relaxed and smiling.
“Sit down, Mata,” Otto told her. “We have some news.” They all sat at the kitchen table. Otto put his arm around Betty. Mata looked expectant.
“Should you tell her?” Otto asked Betty.
“I can, if you want.”
“OK, then.”
“Mata, your brother and I are engaged.”
Mata screamed and launched herself out of her chair, reaching to take Otto and Betty in her arms. They embraced as Mata babbled what seemed like a hundred questions.
“Where will it be? When will it be? What will your colors be, Betty? What about attendants?” Mata was flushed and smiling.
“Hold on, Mata, this just happened about an hour ago. We’ll have plenty of time to plan, but we haven’t
talked about any of the details. I do know that I want you to be my maid of honor.”
“Oh,” said Mata breathlessly, “I’d love to. I’d be honored, in fact.”
“We can have the reception at my parents’ house. They adore Otto so I know they’ll say yes!”
Mata and Betty were soon caught up in a whirl of plans and ideas. Otto excused himself to go outside and walk across the pasture in the warm June late afternoon sunlight. So many things had happened to him in the past year, but this was the best. He smiled at the thought of him and Betty together for a lifetime. Maybe his luck had returned after being absent for so long. He certainly hoped so.
***
Betty’s parents were about as excited as Mata, but managed to disguise it better than she did. Mrs. Ross came over and kissed each of them on the cheek. Mr. Ross hugged Betty and shook Otto’s hand. “I couldn’t be more pleased,” he said. “Welcome to the family, son. We’re proud to have you.”
“Thank you, sir. I promise to take good care of Betty.”
“We know you will,” said Mrs. Ross. “We think of you as part of the family already, Otto, and wish you both every happiness.”
Mrs. Ross took Betty’s arm and escorted her into the parlor. “We’ve got a lot of planning to do, so we might as well get started.”
“Thanks, Mom, but I want Mata involved. I’ve asked her to be my maid of honor.”
“How delightful! What a lovely girl she is. Well, we’ll just have to wait until we can all be together. Why don’t we do it over dinner, say this Friday about seven? Come early for drinks.”
Mr. Ross asked Otto, “Who will be your best man?”
“I thought I’d ask Mata’s beau, Pete Johanssen.”
“Oh, yes, I know the family. Good solid people. Off the subject, I want to ask you something, Otto.”
“Certainly.”
“You know that vets have been going back to college on the G.I. bill. I think that’s commendable. However, I heard a story that somewhat bothered me, and I wanted to get your perspective as a veteran on it.”
“Go ahead, please.” They had reached the parlor by this time and all took seats. Mrs. Ross took a small silver bell and rang it. Sarah appeared.
