Santas ditched the sleigh and reindeer for a chance at free plane tickets in 1981
A free plane ticket is definitely less expensive than feeding nine hungry reindeer.
At 2 in the morning, the airport lobby was empty except for *** few early birds waiting to get *** free airline ticket. By the afternoon, about 130 Santas showed up. Some of them were old timers at getting free tickets. Oh yeah, we went to Vegas two years ago. You bet it was worth it. So where do you plan to go this year? LA. We’re going to take them to Disneyland. It was worth it. But before the great giveaway was to begin, it was clear there were more Santas than there were tickets. Oh drat, we were just guesstimating that we were within it. No, I think you’re gonna be out of luck. We may leave. But we had fun. Before the Santas could pick up their boarding passes, they had to give to the Toys for Tots program and then sing *** Christmas carol. Some of the songs were unconventional and the singers, well, *** little out of tune. After the gong, it was *** quick trip to the ticket counter, and this is where the Santas say all that waiting and lack of sleep finally paid off. Liz Gonzalez, Action 7 News.
Santas ditched the sleigh and reindeer for a chance at free plane tickets in 1981
A free plane ticket is definitely less expensive than feeding nine hungry reindeer.
With plane ticket prices hitting new heights in the ’80s, it’s no wonder people lined up for the chance at a free trip.In 1981, an airline offered the opportunity for no-cost tickets on a future flight. Competitors began lining up at 2 a.m. and were required to donate a toy and sing a Christmas carol. Everyone was supposed to dress like Santa, too. Most Santa Claus costumes were the traditional red outfit and big belt, but some contestants took liberties. One Santa had a beard made from cotton balls, and another wore a cowboy hat with fur.Would you dress up like Santa and sing carols for a free plane ticket? Watch the video above to see different versions of Santa’s iconic outfit. If you like this archival find, make sure to watch the archival playlist below.
With plane ticket prices hitting new heights in the ’80s, it’s no wonder people lined up for the chance at a free trip.
In 1981, an airline offered the opportunity for no-cost tickets on a future flight. Competitors began lining up at 2 a.m. and were required to donate a toy and sing a Christmas carol. Everyone was supposed to dress like Santa, too.
Most Santa Claus costumes were the traditional red outfit and big belt, but some contestants took liberties. One Santa had a beard made from cotton balls, and another wore a cowboy hat with fur.
Would you dress up like Santa and sing carols for a free plane ticket? Watch the video above to see different versions of Santa’s iconic outfit.
If you like this archival find, make sure to watch the archival playlist below.
