A viral travel “hack” has allegedly backfired spectacularly, resulting in a passenger being apprehended by police and removed from the airport. The man was filmed being apprehended by airline staff as he attempted to board a flight last week.
A woman waiting for her flight at Orlando airport in the US captured the incident on camera and claims the man tried to casually pass by flight attendants by stuffing clothes and other items in a pillowcase. The money-saving tactic became a social media trending topic in late 2022.
Once considered the “greatest travel hack ever,” it allows passengers to stuff clothes and other items into empty pillowcases to carry on board a plane and avoid paying extra baggage fees.
But some have expressed concern the measure is “dangerous” and American passengers have reportedly learned their lesson first-hand when they were prevented from boarding a flight.
Airplane passenger urges people to 'stop listening to the internet'
“Don't rely on these sites or social media for tips and tricks because they might not work,” TikTok user @natashaorganic says in a video where a security guard confronts the man.
“The man claims he was trying to bring in a pillowcase filled with clothing and other items, but it was just a pillowcase.”
Natasha said the security guard pointed out that “it was obvious to anyone that it wasn't a pillow” and airline staff gave her the opportunity to pay for the extra baggage.
“He waited until the doors were closed and then he was like, 'OK, I'll pay now,'” she continued, claiming the man then tried to force his way onto the plane.
“[Staff] They said, “Hey, go away. We gave you a chance and you didn't pay the price. In the end, the police were called and they took him away. So don't listen to what the Internet says.”
In September, an Australian tourist was locked in his hotel room for three hours after a travel lock hack backfired. Source: Provided
Viewers say no flight list means baggage fees aren't worth it
Thousands of viewers have commented on the footage, with many saying there's no way he would risk being put on the no-fly list “because of baggage fees”.
“The airport is the only place I know to be a model citizen. Aren't people afraid of a felony or the no-fly list?” one person wrote.
Some noted that airport and airline staff are likely well aware of this “hack” given how they use social media, while several others shared their own tips, such as folding it into a “pillow shape” or double-stacking the case.
“Yeah [his] “It wasn't pillow-shaped at all,” Natasha replied jokingly.
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