Can pilots do tricks in a fish bowl ?
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Blighty
Can pilots do tricks in a fish bowl ?
When visiting a zoo or aquarium, people invariably end up tapping on the glass to see if the animals will react and maybe move in response or do tricks to amuse the visitors.
When boarding a flight as a passenger via steps (not a bridge), one usually has access to the windows near where captain sits. Has anybody (adults, not children) tried tapping on the window to see if pilot(s) will react and maybe do tricks ? Perhaps a bit like getting a seal/sea lion to clap its flippers in return for being given a fish... Did the pilot(s) do any cool tricks ? Or was it just a boring voice response that sounded a bit like "BUCK OFF" ?
When boarding a flight as a passenger via steps (not a bridge), one usually has access to the windows near where captain sits. Has anybody (adults, not children) tried tapping on the window to see if pilot(s) will react and maybe do tricks ? Perhaps a bit like getting a seal/sea lion to clap its flippers in return for being given a fish... Did the pilot(s) do any cool tricks ? Or was it just a boring voice response that sounded a bit like "BUCK OFF" ?


Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Beyond the Blue Horizon
davidjohnson6
I do not tap on the window, why would you ? However I always tap the airframe on the R/H side of the door when boarding any A/C. It was something my Dad did, so I carried it on (perhaps because he survived Bomber Command in WW2) though was shot down. I thought in my child mind it brought him luck, so I followed him in doing this, and always do it what ever the size of A/C.
Cheers
Mr Mac
I do not tap on the window, why would you ? However I always tap the airframe on the R/H side of the door when boarding any A/C. It was something my Dad did, so I carried it on (perhaps because he survived Bomber Command in WW2) though was shot down. I thought in my child mind it brought him luck, so I followed him in doing this, and always do it what ever the size of A/C.
Cheers
Mr Mac
Last edited by Mr Mac; 29th May 2022 at 06:21.

Joined: Feb 2001
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From: The Winchester
I take it this is a wind up..
For those that don't know during boarding the pilots are often in the middle of performing some very critical tasks such as loading data into the management computers, cross checking the same and perhaps briefing the departure.
Hopefully they wouldn't reply with "buck off" but it's the thought that counts.
For those that don't know during boarding the pilots are often in the middle of performing some very critical tasks such as loading data into the management computers, cross checking the same and perhaps briefing the departure.
Hopefully they wouldn't reply with "buck off" but it's the thought that counts.

Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Europe
davidjohnson6
I do not tap on window. However I always tap the airframe on the R/H side of the door when boarding any A/C. It was something my Dad did, so I carried it on (perhaps because he survived Bomber Command in WW2) though was shot down I thought in my child mind it brought him luck so I followed him in doing this and always do it what ever the size of A/C.
Cheers
Mr Mac
I do not tap on window. However I always tap the airframe on the R/H side of the door when boarding any A/C. It was something my Dad did, so I carried it on (perhaps because he survived Bomber Command in WW2) though was shot down I thought in my child mind it brought him luck so I followed him in doing this and always do it what ever the size of A/C.
Cheers
Mr Mac
I do the same but I don't know why...
Joined: Apr 2015
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From: Zentropa
I guess if I can't do the pre-flight, the rapping must suffice?
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: 350/3 Compton
I always slap the underneath of the rear fuselage before boarding any aerobatic machine - not superstition, just listening for any pens/bottles/false teeth that might cause a control restriction.
Mog
Mog








