Personal superstitions on QF/OW flights??
 

Does anybody else have superstitions about flying (whether it be avoiding certain seats or being allocated certain seats, a pre-takeoff routine, certain seats in QP's, etc)

Mine is wearing a 9ct gold 747 on a chain around my neck - bought it in 1989 from a jewellery store in Zurich, Bucherer. On the day of flying, I always "rub it" for luck (to ward off the evil thoughts of things like delays, cancellation, missing flights, crashing, etc). Over the past 15 years, I consider myself lucky:

1. Missed only 3 flights (only one of them my fault - ADL/SYD where I turned up late from client meetings, late connecting flight in FRA for LH to MUC, and customs body search/delay in Brasil due to travelling on Irish passport).

2. Had 3 delays that I was unhappy about (EI DUB/LHR on my recent honeymoon, a mech fault on a BA flight LHR/SIN about 10 years ago and QF SYD/MEL a couple of weeks ago - each 2 to 2.5 hours in length, still not too bad considering others I've heard.)

3. Never been on a flight that has aborted landing, had major problems en-route and diverted, or crashed (however the Dash 8 flight on Whyalla Airlines to ADL goes the closest - a wild ride in a storm about 8 years ago on a Sun PM, to connect with QF ADL/BNE).

What are your stories...I'm interested to know the experiences of other FT'ers. I'm sure there are better ones out there...

Pre-takeoff routine depends on the flight and time of day. But it always involves being in the QP. If the bar is open, it includes .... well, you get the picture.

Oh yes, and I always make it a point to wear underwear when flying.

I have suspicions regarding seat or flight numbers.

I have nasty suspicions that seats after row 4 on a 744 may not be 1st class beds and will do my best to avoid having one of the "unlucky" rows 5-80 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Dave

Don't know if it counts as a 'superstition' or not but I avoid certain airlines usually based on totally irrational criteria !

Other than that in 47 years of flying I have:

1. Never missed a flight.

2. Had only 2 delays of around 3 hours.

3. Had 1 aborted landing at LHR due to
'aircraft still on runway'.




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Qa not Qu

I gave up on mine after the QF check-in droid refused to issue a boarding pass for me and my Boeing-McDonnell MINIPAC II ejection seat.

Some sort of security nonsense about the interceptor vest, MOLLE gear loaded with ammo, M4 carbine and pair of M92 pistols I was sporting at the time. Mentioned something about the two chutes being bad for "morale" as well......

I don't have any superstitions per se, but I do have some strange habits - things I do more for sentimental value than anything else...

- I tend to wear the same shirt and jeans combination on the first leg of my journey.
- I also make sure I wear clean underwear at all times. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
- I never sit down when I'm waiting at the gate area (theory is, I'll have plenty of chances to sit when I get on the plane).
- Go to the bathroom before boarding... (This one isn't for any sentimental values!)

With all that, I've managed a pretty uneventful flying career:

- 1 cancelled flight from WLG-AKL due to fog (that was my first leg of my first trip to Europe). They managed to put me on the next one.
- 1 flight delayed for 3 hours from HKG-SYD, where we sat on the tarmac due to a power problem. As soon as they realised the curfew was starting at midnight, the problem was fixed within minutes and we were off at 11:59. Everyone was crumpy, including the crew.
- Due to that, we missed our connection to WLG, and had to fly to AKL then WLG, which also meant the luggage didn't arrive till the next morning.
- 1 cancelled flight by AZ. They put us in a coach instead. Yes, I did earn miles from it!

I plan to keep it this way...

[This message has been edited by Leumas (edited November 12, 2003).]

Well, it always starts out clean http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif.

However, I did find that one way to pack light is to be creative in the use of underwear. After the initial wearing, jocks can be reversed for an additional wearing. Then they can be put inside out and then reversed again. That way you can get 4 weeks out of one pair!

[This message has been edited by NM (edited November 12, 2003).]

That depends on which airline you're flying with, I think...

4 weeks?! Days, I understand, but weeks? Can you tell me your future flights so I can stay away or should I just stay away from the smell...? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Those who have posted so far seem to have had excellent records with their flying careers. In contrast, I have no superstitions and have had five or six delays of 2 hours plus in my limited travel (14 trips in two years). But two of those long delays were on DJ, so they're to be expected. As shown here. Therefore I now have just one superstition, don't fly DJ!

I'm not superstitious, but comparing some of my experiences to the above, maybe I should be! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Delayed a whole day by fog (and other times shorter delays) - from WLG no less!

Delayed 6 hours by storm. An hour of this was spent in the plane bouncing on the tarmac waiting for it to clear.

One trip was an unending series of delays. First a power cut delayed the first leg by 4 hours due to manual refuelling. Then a near miss on landing because aircraft on runway. Needless to say we had missed the slot for next leg so further delays at this transit. Third leg thought we'd been lucky as connecting plane was held back several hours so made it despite all the bad luck. You guessed it, we made it but the bags didnt http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif The next transit stop also had delays due to missing that slot - so spent an hour on the taxiway. All up half a day late in arriving!

Numerous bad landings at WLG including fly-arounds. And a couple of hairy landings elsewhere too.

My fear is hearing Bob Carr on the intercom saying, "This is the Captain speaking!"

I find that my travel is always dogged by problems unless I carry my special talisman. It's the same sort of size, shape and material as a credit card, and its hue resembles a precious metal. It is printed and embossed with magical symbols and characters which motivate people and machines to do extraordinary things when presented with a discount economy ticket, such as uttering the words "Welcome to the Qantas Club, sir."

Well I can confirm that I have never had a travel incident (delay, missed flight/connection etc) in the fourth week of wear http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif.

4 weeks is just fine so long as you take a shower at least once in each week http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif.

Obviously never had the pleasure of a UK holiday charter flight out of LGW on say Monarch or Britania. Longggggggggg delays on these services are legendary.

Martyn,

You are so right. Number ONE 'superstition' for me is never fly on a charter airline/flight.

My parents were flying from UK to Spain some years back with Monarch (in a 757 if I remember correctly). Anyhow definately a twin engine machine.
One engine blew en-route requiring very scary emergency landing at Oporto. Fire engines etc. Fortunately all went well and Monarch looked after all passengers very well with overnight hotels,meals etc.

I don' t even fly Qantas if I know the flight is on charter !!

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Qa not Qu

[This message has been edited by QFF (edited Nov 12, 2003).]