A passenger was banned from a flight at Orlando International Airport after trying to get away with a viral packing trick. Known as the “pillow hack,” airport staff are wise to this and it doesn’t fly – neither did the passenger.
What Is the “Pillow Hack” Packing Trick?
The so-called “pillow hack” or viral packing trick has been around for a while now. It comes as a reaction to airlines clamping down on carry-on baggage allowance and increased fees on checked-in luggage.
With people wanting to avoid the rising expenses of transporting their luggage when they travel, naturally, some will look for ways to beat or cheat the system. One of those ways is the “pillow hack.”
If you’ve traveled by air, you’ve undoubtedly seen some passengers with a cervical pillow squeezed around their neck as they go through airport security.
Neck pillows are seen as a “comfort item” and they aren’t counted as extra carry-on luggage.
Someone got the bright idea to empty the pillow stuffing from a neck pillow and fill the pillowcase with extra clothing. This trick serves as a way of getting around paying an extra bag fee.
The “pillow hack” went viral on social media during the holidays. The only problem is, that people who work at airports watch social media too. It didn’t take long for airport staff to start looking for people who might be trying to use this technique.
“Pillow Hack” Gets Passenger Banned From Flight
The “pillow hack” has been around a while. Not only are airport staff aware of it, but they actively check for it. One passenger thought he could smooth-talk his way through, but only talked himself out of his flight.
Over the weekend, a passenger at Orlando International Airport tried to pull off the “pillow hack.” The male passenger was carrying a pillow in his hand.
A video went viral on social media. Apparently, the man didn’t try to take a neck pillow with him, but something more akin to a normal pillow.
An argument ensued between a woman working at the flight gate who confronted the man about his pillow. Although the man’s words were not audible in the videos, it was apparent he was trying to argue that the item was simply a pillow.
The man was offered the opportunity to pay the appropriate fee for bringing an additional carry-on, but he declined.
As the argument escalated, airport police showed up. At this point, the man can be heard on the video saying he was willing to pay. Unfortunately for him, because of the ruckus he had caused, it was too late. The man was banned from the flight and escorted away from the gate by officers.
“This dude was trying to take in a pillowcase full of clothing and other items, which he is stating is simply just a pillowcase,” one user on TikTok said.
“He waited all the way up until they closed the doors to be like, ‘Okay, I’ll pay for it now,'” another user said. “And they were like, ‘Bro, back away. We gave you your chance and you didn’t pay for it.’ And they ended up calling the cops on him. And he ended up getting escorted out.”
Read More: Woman Disinvites Sister from Wedding After Horrifying Prank
The “Pillow Hack” Will Get You Sacked
When the pillow hack went viral back around the holidays, especially on TikTok, lots of users were urging travelers to use this technique to avoid paying a carry-on fee.
But more recently, some anonymous users on Reddit started warning others not to continue to try the “pillow hack.” They said they knew some people who hadn’t gotten away with it.
“I don’t know,” one Reddit user admitted. “In SFO, the gate ladies told us we had to put our pillows in our bags.”
Another user offered an alternative technique.
“I think budget airlines consider a pillow to be a personal item,” another user said. “I concur with wearing lots of clothes and shoving things into your jacket as the tried and true method.”
Read More: Baggage Handler Warns Using This “Trick” Will Delay Your Luggage
