I know a few airline pilots in Europe and the Mid East (not all English), and I have been lucky enough to fly in the cockpit on a number of occasions with them. The patting and talking to the plane has gone on a number of times, in perticuler on approach to Kai Tak in Monsoon weather !. My patting of the plane is just for luck but I always do it. It will be intresting to see if any other Pilots / Aircrew/ SLF own up to doing this, or somthing like it, perhaps we should start another thread on this issue ?. Intrestingly Mrs Mac who also flys the world on her own account thinks I am mad doing this, but after a bad flight with Air France last month I did notice a little caress of the air frame on an EK 777 when boarding at Manchester a week ago, but she would not admit it even if wild horses were involved !.