Special Report: Patty Nelson remembers her 28 years with Alaska Airlines

In her 28 years working for Alaska Airlines, Patty Nelson has seen and done it all. Her duties consisted of taking reservations, checking luggage, running security and everything in between.

In 1965, when she first began working at the airport, Alaska Airlines did not have a presence on Mitkof Island yet. Alaska Coastal Ellis Airlines was flying three propeller planes into Petersburg when Nelson has hired. The Grumman Goose and Twin Otter were smaller aircraft, while a larger aircraft came in the mornings carrying 40 to 50 passengers. Soon after she started working for the company, the propell...