Phobia?

October 14th, 2017| Topic: RaMbLeS | 0

Triskaidekaphobia, it is called, the fear of number 13 (from the Greek: “tris” = 3; “kai” = and; “deka” = 10; and “phobos” = fear). And paraskevidekatriaphobia (from the Greek, “paraskevi” = Friday) or friggatriskaidekaphobia (from “Frigg” = the Norse goddess after whom we get “Friday” in English).

Irrational? Maybe. But the British Medical Journal once concluded in “Is Friday the 13th Bad For Your Health?” that:

Friday 13th is unlucky for some. The risk of hospital admission as a result of a transport accident may be increased by as much as 52%. Staying at home is recommended.”

So, phobia or no, would you fly Flight 666 to HEL on Friday the 13th? Bad enough to fly on Friday the 13th. But on Flight 666 and bound for HEL[sinki]?

Here is wisdom.
Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast [a satanic entity],
for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.
Revelation 13:18

And that mysterious number has a phobia of its own. Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia (from the Greek: “hexakosioi” = six hundred; “hexekonta” = sixty; and “hex” = six).

But there were a bunch of fearless folks who did exactly that—they flew to HEL on Flight 666 last Friday, the 13th (from Copenhagen).

[Other scary airport codes: BOO (Bodo, Norway), DIE (Arrachart, Madagascar), AXE (Xanxere, Brazil), GUT (Gutersloh, Germany), KIL (Kilwa, Congo), AGH (Angelholm-Helsingborg, Sweden), and DED (Dehradun, India), among others.]

However, Finnair, the Nordic airline, announced it would be the last one for Flight AY666 to HEL. The airline, after 11 years, is retiring the flight number.

Announced a spokesperson:

Today will actually be the final time that our AY666 flight flies to HEL. Some of our flight numbers in our network will change and our AY666 flight from Copenhagen to Helsinki will change to AY954. After 21 flights on AY666 to HEL on a Friday that is also the 13th in the last 11 years, we’re altering the flight number.”

Not sure if this flight was discounted, but a study by the travel website Kayak, found that the cost of flights on Friday, Jan 13, 2017, was significantly lower than on any other day in the same month.

A Kayak spokesperson explained:

Flight prices are very much based on demand—when demand is up they rise and when it is down they fall. Our data, therefore, indicates that many are choosing not to travel on Friday the 13th.”

Thankfully, pilot Juha-Pekka Keidasto refuted all the superstition and unfounded phobias. He said he wasn’t scared:

It has been quite a joke among the pilots. But I’m not a superstitious man. It’s only a coincidence for me. If there’s some passenger who is anxious about this 666, our cabin crew is always happy to help them.”

Flight 66 to HEL landed on time at Helsinki Airport and taxied to its gate—Gate 26 = 13 × 2.

But Finnair still has a morbid sense of humor. On its Twitter account was this note:

Farewell to Finnair AY666, but remember, we still have from SIN to HEL.”

SIN, by the way, is Singapore.

And so, quoth I:

One of these days, I’m going to SIN!”

Phobias—begone!

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous!
Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9

And, said Jesus, …

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.
Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
John 14:27