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Is Mercury in Retrograde Causing These Airline Incidents?

April 23, 2017
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3 min read
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Is Mercury in Retrograde Causing These Airline Incidents?
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I've been doing a lot of press around all these recent airline incidents, and the question is why is this happening? It seems like there's been an increase in these crazy incidents, and certainly the severity level of them.

If you ask the union chief of American Airlines' flight attendants, there are a lot of factors at play, including shrinking overhead bins and increased flight attendant schedules. After the United incident, I wrote a post about 4 Ways We Can Bring Humanity Back to American Aviation and the solutions are complex. But why would all these incidents be happening now?

Well, I found out the answer and it's going to shock you... Mercury is in retrograde.

Damn you, Mercury! Stop wreaking havoc on our already stressed aviation system! Elements of this image furnished by NASA. Courtesy Getty Images.

Per the vaunted Old Farmer's Almanac, here's what "Mercury in retrograde" actually is:



Several times a year, it appears as if Mercury is going backwards. This time was traditionally associated with confusions, delay, and frustration.
The planet Mercury rules communication, travel, contracts, automobiles, and such. So, when Mercury is retrograde, remain flexible, allow time for extra travel, and avoid signing contracts.
You can’t stop your life, but plan ahead, have back-up plans, and be prepared for angrier people and miscommunication.

You tell me if that doesn't sound exactly like what's been happening. And look at the timeline of events:

April 9 — Mercury goes into retrograde. The exact same day, the United #BumpGate incident occurs, kicking things off with a bang!

April 16 — United throws a bride and groom off their flight enroute to their wedding.

April 21 — An American Airlines employee gets into a verbal altercation with a passenger that nearly comes to blows.

April 23-May 2 — ?!?!?! (Delta, you're up next!)

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May 3 — The last day Mercury will be in retrograde for now. Everyone should remain on high alert until this day.

Remain on high alert until May 3. This is not a drill. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

For future travel reference, there are two other sets of dates in 2017 you'll need to watch out for since Mercury will be in retrograde again. They are August 13 through September 5 and December 3 to 23.

Luckily my flights have been uneventful thus far, but I will personally be on high alert until we're out of danger. What do you think? Am I crazy here?

Featured image by Getty Images

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.