We all know it’s better for your back and your budget to pack light when you go away, but sometimes you just need a little extra room for your belongings.
To avoid forking out for a checked bag, some savvy travellers make use of loopholes in hand luggage rules with various packing ‘hacks’. Yet although many get away with it, that’s not always the case.
This week, a TikTok video posted by @natashaorganic showed the potential consequences of trying to evade carry-on guidelines.
The clip showed a man being escorted away from the gate at Orlando International Airport by police following an exchange with staff at the desk.
While it’s hard to hear exactly what went down during the interaction, Natasha explained in the caption: ‘This dude was trying to take in a pillowcase full of clothing and other items, which he is stating is simply just a pillowcase.’
The TikToker claimed the man was informed he’d have to pay for the extra ‘bag’ before boarding and he initially declined. After they closed the doors to the jetway he then changed his mind, but by that point it was too late.
When he tried to push through and get on the flight anyway, staff allegedly told him, ‘we gave you your chance and you didn’t pay for it,’ before eventually calling the police to remove him from the airport.
Natasha warned viewers to ‘stop listening to the internet’, alluding to a viral trick that’s remarkably similar to the one this man tried (and failed) to pull off.
A number of creators have shared their own version of the method, which involves stuffing a travel pillow with clothing you can’t quite fit in your bag. TikToker Anayo Awuzie managed to dodge a $60 excess baggage fee on one trip with a zippable option, for example. Another, Kristen Black created a DIY version by rolling up her garments into a sausage shape and tying it round her neck.
It’s certainly not failsafe, but there is some logic to it: in general, airlines tend not to be too strict about a small travel pillow, especially if you’re wearing it as you board.
However, this man was less sneaky about his plan, using a standard pillowcase and filling it right up. Inconspicuous it was not.
Travel writer Matthew Klint, who runs the Live and Let’s Fly blog, previously commented on the trend, saying: ‘Stuffing socks and underwear into a neck pillow is quite a different matter than trying to stuff a ski parka into an oversized pillowcase.
‘Just be prepared, if you use this trick, to pay up if you get “caught” with the extra item.’
That’s a risk you have to accept when you attempt a stunt like this. Since you’re well aware you’re breaking the rules, the civilised thing to do if officials catch on (and the best way to ensure a trouble-free journey) is to put your hands up and take the hit.
Graeme Buck, Director of Communications at ABTA, tells Metro.co.uk: ‘The best source of advice on what you can take on the plane will come from your airline – not a social media travel hack.
‘Each airline has their own rules around what you can take on as hand luggage and cabin bags, and what you do and don’t need to pay for. So, it’s important you follow their advice – otherwise you could find yourself having to pay extra at the boarding gate.
‘We’re also encouraging people this summer to make sure they don’t carry liquids of more than 100ml in their hand luggage. There had been a planned change around this but that has been put on hold, so we’re advising people to pack their hand luggage and prepare for airport security checks as they always have.’
If saving a few pennies ahead of your next holiday is worth the hassle of a ‘hack’ such as this one, on your own head be it.
There are a range of legitimate ways of optimising your hand luggage, though, from swapping your towel for a sarong to going for flip flops over bulkier shoeslike trainers.
Former flight attendant Daisy White revealed her trade secrets for packing, telling Metro.co.uk: ‘Roll up a pair of socks with two pairs of knickers inside each pair. It sounds weird, but it saves room and keeps everything tidy.
‘Bras can also be folded carefully inside dresses, and T-shirts rolled up from bottom to top.’
She added: ”Anything that doubles up as an all-purpose (Elizabeth Arden/Clarins/ Elemis/Vaseline lip balm) is ideal. And if you’re going somewhere cold, rather than pack a bulky knitwear collection, layer up and pack lighter camis, T-shirts and roll-necks.’
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