Woman Catches Everyone Stepping Onto Plane With Left Foot. She Says It’s For Good Luck: ‘Is This Why The Line Takes Forever?’

It’s pretty common to have a fear of flying. Looking at some recent news stories, it’s hard not to feel at least a little bit nervous about getting on a plane.

With numerous plane crashes capturing headlines in recent years, it becomes a little bit more understandable that anywhere from 40% to roughly 70% of Americans claim to have at least a little fear of flying.

To alleviate these fears, some people take to embracing superstition and doing things for “good luck.” Now, one woman claims that people on her flight embraced a certain superstition—one that’s inspired a fierce debate in the comments section.

What’s Going On With This Flight?

In a video with over 2.7 million views, TikTok user Tabitha Tindale (@pinkmoonbytabitha) shows a line of people waiting to board an airplane.

One after another, they all slowly get onto the aircraft. Looking at their legs, one can realize they’re all doing one specific thing: Getting onto the plane with their left leg first.

“Remember, step onto the airplane with your left foot for good luck!” Tindale writes in the video’s caption. “Looks like the people in front of us know this.”

In the video overlay text, she reiterates, “Always step on with your left foot!”

Is This Real?

Of course, whether one steps onto the plane with their left or right foot has zero impact on the outcome of their flight.

But reality has never stopped a good superstition. As a result, there are many people who believe that stepping onto a plane with a certain foot will impact the outcome of their flight in a positive way.

For example, according to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, common flying superstitions include gently touching the side of the plane as one enters and holding the hands of another passenger during take-off.

A 2016 survey of over 1,600 British flyers found that touching the outside of the plane was the most common superstitious behavior for flyers, followed by bringing a good luck charm, refusing to seat in certain seat numbers, reciting prayers or mantras, and only flying at certain times.

There are even some places where throwing coins at an airplane is thought to be good luck. This, however, can be an annoyance and a danger for staff and flyers alike. As a result, airlines have cracked down on the practice and fine those who engage in it. In China, airlines have fined passengers who throw coins at planes. Many of these flights are subsequently delayed, as the plane must be inspected to ensure the coin did not cause any damage.

But Why The Left Foot?

Interestingly, Tindale appears to be in the minority when it comes to believing in using one’s left foot to enter a plane.

In the comments section, many users affirmed that they were right-foot plane steppers.

“TEAM RIGHT FOOT!!” exclaimed a user.

“It’s quite literally the right foot! The right is always better,” echoed another.

It’s unclear why this superstition exists for planes, but it may come from boating culture. It’s a classic sailor superstition that one should board a boat with their right foot first.

Overall, however, no one knows why this superstition exists in the first place, regardless of whether it is applied to boats or planes. There’s some evidence that the idea of entering a place with your right foot for good luck comes from Ancient Greece, but that evidence is fairly limited. Still, many swear to its efficacy.

Commenters Have Other Superstitions

Others in the comments section offered their own pre-boarding practices.

“My dad taught me different. To use your right hand and gently place your hand on the outside of the plan for good luck. I do it every time I enter an airplane,” wrote a commenter.

“NO!! You MUST tap the plane before boarding,” countered another.

Some, however, said that superstitions like these did nothing more than delay flights.

“…Is this why the line takes forever?” asked a user.

“All these comments saying— ‘trust in god!’ ‘Right foot!’ ‘Hand on the outside of the plane door!’ Nah. I had faith in the pilots who had years of experience and training to be able to fly the plane safely,” shared a second.

“Just get on the plane bro,” declared a third.

BroBible reached out to Tindale via Instagram direct message and email.