(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-11-29 22:25

Retired Aloha Airlines Capt. Ron Sprink recalls that Smart was "a barrel of fun" when she started flying, and she acquired the skill of keeping her passengers orderly soon afterward.

"The ones who stay on for a long career, the dedication shows through, and they have to snap their fingers at people every once in a while," Sprink said.

With the advent of lower-cost flights with fewer amenities, air travel has lost some of its charm, Smart said. Passengers are more concerned with getting where they're going than enjoying the ride.

Aloha Airlines has been engaged in a three-way airfare war with rivals Hawaiian and upstart go! airlines for more than a year.

"The pie is the same size, but there are more slices," Smart said. "These are trying times. Fuel is going up, and everyone is feeling the pinch."

Even after retirement, Smart will continue to participate in a group that meets for monthly prayers for the company's survival.

"Aloha was started out of adversity. We became strong out of adversity, and we will survive despite adversity," she said. "I think we're going to make it."

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