I mentioned to someone that if, a few days before a flight, I stub my toe on the edge of the coffee table or nick myself shaving that I consider it a good sign, that I think of it as keeping the plane in the air -
meaning that I'm using up my bad luck ahead of time, or preventing disaster by making a small sacrifice or paying a small price.
Instead of looking at me like I'm nuts, this person said sure, that makes sense, and now we have a shared secret language item when something goes a little awry we say we're keeping the plane in the air.
When the flight is boarding and I see someone with their foot in a cast or a brace on their wrist, I think of it as good because it means that we've used up our bad luck - surely the gods wouldn't pile on when we've already taken our lumps.
I suppose you could feel the opposite -- this is an unlucky bunch I'm joining for a ride that could use some looking after from above.
What superstitions do you have about transport?
This is on my mind especially after the news stories about the storm in the UK and the scenes of windy landings at Heathrow...