Century Air Lines  Stinson SM-6000-B   NC11155                         (c/n  5022)

                                

                                   Century Air Lines was formed in 1931 by Errett Lobban Cord, owner of the Auburn Motor
                                   Company.  He established passengers services between Chicago and St. Louis and Detroit
                                   to Cleveland.  Upon arrival at the airports, passengers were transported into town using
                                   luxury Auburn Motor Cars.  A fleet of some 14 Stinson SM-6000s were operated, one of
                                   which is seen in the photo above from American Airlines (enlargement below shows titling).    
                                   Cord also former Century Pacific Lines, from San Francisco to San Diego still using  Stinson
                                   Tri-motors.   Century was basically a "cut rate" airline and the American Airways of the time
                                   were incensed.  However, Cord tried to cut expenses too much and his pilots protested
                                   that they were treated like taxi drivers.            So much so that the newly formed Air Line
                                   Pilots Association laid a strike on his hands.  Unable to gain mail contracts Cord sold both
                                   air lines to AVCO and Century was absorbed into American Airways.  .                                 .