Why Pilots Hate When Passengers Do This Before Boarding
There’s a common pre-flight behaviour that a lot of passengers do before boarding – but pilots hate it. Many pilots are said to have a number of superstitions about flying and one of them is actually popular with passengers – taking a photo outside of the plane before jetting off.
Pilots Superstitions About Photos
While this may seem rather odd to many, pilots are said to strongly believe that taking a photo of the plane before taking off is bad luck. Dave Toomey, a former World War 2 pilot, recalled a fellow pilot who took this superstition very seriously. A day before a mission, the pilot allowed a photograph to be taken and then his plane came under attack and he barely made it back to base, Toomey told Air and Space Magazine. Toomey said: “Barely made it back on one engine. After that, if someone ever took a picture of him, he wouldn’t fly that day.”
Positive Photos in Pilots Hats
A more positive superstition involving photographs is keeping a photo of loved ones in their hats. Any sort of pilot – commercial, private or military – will spend a large amount of time away from their friends and family. Not only is it hard on them but also the people they leave behind, so many pilots bring along items that remind them of home. A tradition that seems to have become fashionable during World War 2 is for pilots to keep photos of family and other loved ones in their hats. It was thought that their loved ones would be watching over them from above.
Laurels of Return from WW2
Another superstition dating back to World War II is to only eat half of something and leave the rest for when you return. Many pilots who smoked during the war would only smoke half a cigarette before a flight, saving the rest for when they got back. It was also picked up by non-smokers as well, who would eat only half a meal and then return to the rest once they got back safely. It gave the pilots one more ‘incentive’ to make it back alive, giving them something to “look forward to” on their return.
Avoid Whistling on a Plane
Another odd superstition some pilots have is never to whistle on a plane. While there are a few whistling superstitions from around the world, many of them say that whistling will attract bad spirits. In the UK, there is a superstitious belief in a group of mysterious spirits known as the “Seven Whistlers” that are thought to be a bad omen. Over in Russia though, whistling is thought to bring poverty and whistling on a ship is thought to encourage storms.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, pilots have their fair share of superstitions when it comes to flying. While some of these practices may seem odd to outsiders, they hold significant meaning and tradition for those in the aviation industry. So next time you’re on a plane, be mindful of the pilot’s superstitions and maybe think twice before snapping a photo outside the plane!