Superstitious pilots

[mar]

Superstitious pilots. What's the deal? I thought we were all pretty analytical and scientific.

Have you ever flown with someone that freaks out when you remark how well the flight is going?

"Boy, she's really running nice today."

"UH! Ah, crap! Why'd you have to go and say it? Now we're screwed."

Or myself for example. Packing for several days in Barrow. Latest METAR shows about -18C. No big deal. But I'll tell you what. If I left all my cold weather gear at home I'd be screwed. I'd be asking for -35C with 35 knots of wind.

To hell with that. I'm taking everything! Parka. Bibs. Mittens. And a pair of big-assed insulated astronaut-style boots. That's the only way to guarantee mild temperatures--bring everything.

Murphy's Law is alive and well in aviation but that son of a bitch lives in Alaska.

 

[Typhoon1244]

I'm not generally a superstitious person, but I have observed that whenever someone says "boy, it sure is smooth out here," we pick up moderate chop within the next five minutes.

And besides, how can you see all the bible threads on Flightinfo and then be surprised about pilots being superstitious?

(Run for cover!)

 

[Jmmccutc]

(Run for cover!)

Oh Boy!!! Here they come down the back stretch, it's Super80 by a nose, TB not far behind, half way through the turn we see Vlad closing the gap, into the home stretch, (what in the world) TB and Vlad seem to have come up lame...oh that's right Jesus Christ is Super80's jockey...

 

[Typhoon1244]

...oh that's right Jesus Christ is Super80's jockey...

Now now, be nice...I wasn't trying to start a holy war. (Hey Mar, I knew I should have just kept that to myself. Delete this thread if it gets out of control! )

 

[mar]

All in good fun...

Nah, I almost made a joke myself but it wouldn't have been as funny as Jmmmmmtttttttttcccccccccc.

Son, what's up with your nick anyway? You crack me up.

Yeah. So. Anyone carry a lucky charm in their flight case.

I bet someone does. Do tell.

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

Re: All in good fun...

So. Anyone carry a lucky charm in their flight case.

I bet someone does. Do tell.

Does a half eaten Twinkie count??


Maybe I should carry a charm though, Had to shut another one down the other day. So far, I am way above the average career failure rate for turbine equipment. All odd stuff too, the type of things that the mechanic looks at and says "Dang, never seen that before!"

Too bad this trend doesn't seem to apply to my lottery tickets.

 

[bigD]

I'm a physics guy too, and I'm as superstitious as they come. I *know* it's all crap, but heck, why risk it?

BTW, I wear the same pair of boxers on all my checkrides (washed, though!).

 

[pilotman2105]

I carry a small piece of wood with me on every flight. Long story, but it's a safety factor.

 

[Typhoon1244]

Re: All in good fun...

Anyone carry a lucky charm in their flight case(?)

When we first met, my wife gave me a homemade good-luck charm...a little 2.5" square clear plastic envelope containing some odds-and-ends and this verse:

"Glitter, to add sparkle to your life,
Eraser, to begin every day with a fresh start,
Paper clip, to hold it all together,
Bandage, to comfort and cure,
Rubber band, to help keep you flexible,
Seed, to remind you we reap what we sow,
and a Bead: what goes around comes around."

I still carry it with me when I go flying. (All together now: "aawwwww..." )

Also--not sure if I'd call this superstitious or not--to me a homecoming is more poignant when I'm the flying pilot. Therefore, I always try to arrange the legs so that I make the last landing. (Of course, I make adjustments if I'm doing the same trip with the same F/O all month...that would get tedious.) Now I'll bet I'm the only guy who does that! Anyone?

 

[Typhoon1244]

I carry a small piece of wood with me on every flight.

You know you're not supposed to fly within six hours of using Viagra!

 

[bigD]

LOL!

 

[pilotman2105]

Guess I kinda set myself up for that one.

***Makes mental note NOT to post after midnight.

 

[LJDRVR]

I'm not superstitious, but sometimes you see some stuff that makes you go: hmmm.

For instance, several years ago, I'm flying a Lear 35 from Peachtree-Dekalb to Dulles at night. It's severe clear, with a beautiful, big, harvest full moon on our right rising. I remark to my sparky "Wow! look at that full moon. Sure would be a good night to have a total electrical failure!" (D-oh!) So, what happens? You guessed it, during the descent out of about 280, we're treated to the "KA-CHUNK" of both 40 amp essential left and right buss breakers popping out. Total darkness except the peanut gyro, emergency aisle lighting and of course, our lovely friend the moon.

Doesn't stop me from still saying things like that in the cockpit, but sometimes I'll jokingly cover the CVR mike before saying them. (Just for a laugh)

True story. (R.L. at Flex, you reading this?)

 

[7B2]

I carry a small piece of wood with me on every flight. Long story, but it's a safety factor.

Let's hear it, I'm sure we've all seen more mind-numbinger (that's not really a word is it?) stories then what you're about to tell us....

 

[FN FAL]

speaking of superstitions, tomorrow is the 10 year aniversary of FedEx's hijacking attempt with the guy that used hammers and a speargun...

 

[pilotman2105]

Actually, it's not too long of a story. It's just that people that I've flown with, instructors and friends have a tendency is say pretty insane things when we're in the airplane. Some of my favorites are "Hope we don't hit that bird straight ahead of us," "Hope the thunderstorms don't build up more," and "Hope that guy sees us." To remedy these things, you "knock on wood." Since a majority of the planes that I've flown are lacking wood (Cubs excluded), you have to carry a piece of wood to knock on.

Hence, I started carrying a small piece of wood. Now it's a safety blanket.

 

[Typhoon1244]

Hence, I started carrying a small piece of wood. Now it's a safety blanket.

Actually, it's a safety plankette.

 

[DCitrus9]

My indoctrination into the bible belt: CA freaked out when we were issued a squawk code ending in 666. I got it changed, per his request, while somehow managing a straight face...

 

[Typhoon1244]

...CA freaked out when we were issued a squawk code ending in 666.

That goes beyond the Bible Belt. The Saudia students at FSI had the same problem!

 

[Dragonbravo]

Pilotman, I figured the wood was in the form of a stake. You know, to ward off vampires and such. Never leave home with out mine, can't be too careful.