You're right of course Erik - that goes back to WWI when there were pilots who refused to fly after their photo had been taken. Back in the Gulf my pic was taken on 87-228 for Airman Magazine. The issue hit our base the day after Capt Roberts and 228 went down over Baghdad. I was politely asked to not have my picture taken with any other jets.

It's not "HIS" aircraft. It's the crew chief's aircraft. The crew chief is the one that know's the aircraft inside and out. The pilot was just lucky enough to fly it.

Never take a pilot's pic prior to a mission. It is old school bad luck.