Throwing coins in plane engines ?

[David87]

How does this sort of thing start in the modern world? It’s hardly written in ancient Chinese folklore that throwing coins into jet engines brings good luck.

[Shakermaker]

Funkmachine7 said:

We're lucky that planes are built to survive a bird strike to an engine.
Still its daft an could easily destroy the engine.

They are not designed to operate after a bird strike though, more that they are designed in such a way that in the event of a bird strike, they don't explode/fling out a load of debris that could damage the aircraft elsewhere etc.

[aeropilot]

mcdjl said:

aeropilot said:

Perhaps, more questions should be asked of Chinese airlines and airports, that they are even letting unsurpervisied PAX get that close to an aircraft engine for this to happen...........

Fly on a budget airline in Europe or anywhere you board via stairs rather than a tunnel and most people would have the opportunity.

The issue isn't that you board from stairs, the issue is that its airside, and PAX should be escorted at all times, and when I've boarded by stairs in past, there has always been ground staff standing in front of the nacelles to prevent FOD and for safety of PAX, as well as stop people going where they please.

[JuniorD]

If only they had the sense to throw them up the exhaust end

[telecat]

These would be the same people who try to open Windows when at 20,000 feet? Who think that a external door can be used at similar altitudes. They have a few other attitudes detrimental to modern living usually to do with Wild Animals as well.

[J4CKO]

I suspect its one of those things where people who aren't used to something aren't entirely sure how to behave, I dont think an older Chinese lady, perhaps from outside a city is perhaps going to be a regular on PPrune and isnt that well up on Turbofans but does have some older superstitions about chucking money in stuff.

We tend to be around fairly well travelled folk so it comes as a shock when some dont know how to act, I was on an Air India flight once and someone had crimped a length on the floor, now I am guessing that wasnt a well travelled Businessman from Delhi, but someone who is used to parking their breakfast wherever they see fit.

Did some filming for the Hyundai I30N thing last year and a bus with a few Chinese tourists appeared, one bloke just wandered into the shot shouting at his party, oblivious to the car, the cameras, the lighting etc, he also gobbed loudly and lavishly, we were aghast but he just didnt seem to know and can only really be that he wasnt used to it and didnt twig he should keep back and keep quiet.

So, bit of education required and also, keep them away from where they can launch loose change into engines.

[Brads67]

Educate superstitious chinese ?

Not a chance.

[nikaiyo2]

David87 said:

How does this sort of thing start in the modern world? It’s hardly written in ancient Chinese folklore that throwing coins into jet engines brings good luck.

I wonder where they put them before riding a horse

[caelite]

Tim330 said:

Shakermaker said:

And isn't part of the problem that it isn't just one passenger that will do this, but quite a few do it. And as such, there might be more coins than you can see sitting on the cowling, and you've got to take things apart to have a proper look for them as well?

and although a "re-education" perhaps needs to take place; I have a proposal of a more simple piece of ground equipment that can be used to help the issue; a screen/guard on wheels that can be rolled into place in front of the engine during the ground time at the airport. Easier and than fitting the covers to the engine every time. A bit like one of those boards you see on a cricket ground, but perhaps made a chunk of perspex in a frame?

Edited by Shakermaker on Tuesday 16th April 15:14

On the screen/guard it should be written in several languages that anyone caught throwing coins in the engine will have their ticked downgraded to sit in the hold.

That sounds great, a little camping mattress & a sleeping bag, can sit with my hold luggage in a little crawl space with my >150ml bottle of choice. I'd be a hell of a lot happier than I am wedged into economy (something something, powerfully built businessman, something something, have the company pay for 1st class).

[J4CKO]

Brads67 said:

Educate superstitious chinese ?

Not a chance.

Confucius say, those who throw coins in jet engines get a large fine and prevented from flying might do it ?

[IanH755]

aeropilot said:

The issue isn't that you board from stairs, the issue is that its airside, and PAX should be escorted at all times, and when I've boarded by stairs in past, there has always been ground staff standing in front of the nacelles to prevent FOD and for safety of PAX, as well as stop people going where they please.

The issue is people throwing them from the air stairs rather than walking upto the engine intake itself.

[JuniorD]

It’s descended to throwing owls into engines now

[Shakermaker]

JuniorD said:

It’s descended to throwing owls into engines now

at least I now know how aircraft are able to fly!