In an extremely rare occurrence, Northwest Airlines was chartered by both the Republican and Democratic Presidential candidates on the same date from the same origin.
On September 6, 1952, both Dwight Eisenhower (Republican) and Adlai Stevenson (Democrat) converged on Rochester, Minnesota.
Stevenson, whose day started at Denver, flew into Minneapolis-St. Paul with a party of 112 on two American and one United DC-6s. The Illinois governor and his group transferred to two waiting NWA DC-4s for the leg to RST, as he was to give a speech at nearby Kasson, MN.
Three hours before Stevenson’s arrival, General Eisenhower, with his assistants and press, arrived at RST from Chicago on three American Airlines Convairs to address a Republican rally at the Mayo Civic Auditorium.
Both candidates returned to the Rochester airport in the afternoon. Stevenson boarded the same DC-4 he arrived on and flew back to MSP, transferring to the DC-6s which had been parked for the day, and left for Cheyenne, Wyoming for a brief appearance, then going on to Billings, Montana for the night.
Eisenhower, meanwhile, flew to the lakeside resort town of Alexandria, Minnesota in a Northwest DC-3 for 24 hours of relaxation. NWA returned him to MSP the following evening, where his AA Convairs had flown on to meet him.
NWA personnel carried out their assignments smoothly. Flying Stevenson’s plane was Capt. Larry Abbey. First Officer was Jack Rogers and FAs Jan Carlson and Mary Kay Armstrong. Crew of the accompanying DC-4 for the press consisted of Capt. Austin Lytle, FO Bill Engen, and FAs Shirley Hoaglund and Joan Hanson.
Bill Shaw piloted Eisenhower’s flight with Walt Harbeck, first officer, and FAs Bob Patrin and Coral Yahr.
Station superintendent Rollie Chambers and his staff handled all details at MSP, while senior agent John Condon took charge at AXN. The most difficult situation of the day was faced by RST station manager Bill McGoon and his small but capable staff. Despite crowds, tight schedules, motorcade hazards and general pandemonium, the RST team processed its flights efficiently.
