40 years ago today

Published 11:03 pm Sunday, February 8, 2009

Today we meet Charlotte Nichols, who says she believes she’s had trouble finding a full-time job because no one wants to hire a 63-year-old.

In other middle-age employee news, Capt. Sully Sullenberger, 57, and the crew of US Airways Flight 1549 have more than 125 collective years of flying experience. Just saying.

Speaking of middle-age folks, Hollywood actually allows people over the age of 27 to knock some boots in “Nights in Rodanthe,” out this week on DVD.

Also new in the red envelopes: “W.,” the life story of that guy from Texas who was president — what was his name again? — and “The Exterminating Angel,” in which some wealthy folks have a very special dinner party.

It was 40 years ago today: The Everett-built Boeing 747 first flew on Feb. 9, 1969, thrilling the world with its massive size, spiral staircase and, coolest of all, groovy cocktail lounge on the upper level.

Money-generating first-class seats replaced the 747’s bar a long time ago, but we hear the Airbus A380 has an entire microbrewery on its upper level.

— Mark Carlson, Herald staff