Baggage fees keep creeping up, and passengers are fighting back in creative, and sometimes downright bizarre ways.
The latest travel hack is called “flying naked.”
Don’t worry, clothes are still involved!
Passengers are flying ‘naked’
What does flying ‘naked’ even entail? Well, according to the Daily Mail, instead of lugging a suitcase through the airport, some travellers are boarding planes with nothing more than their phone, wallet, and passport. That’s it. No checked bag. No overhead carry-on. Just the absolute basics.
The trend, driven mostly by Gen Z and Millennials, is all about avoiding airline baggage charges. Some passengers cram pockets with rolled-up T-shirts and underwear, while others mail their belongings ahead of time because shipping can be cheaper than checking a bag.
And they’re not alone in bending the rules. A survey by Send My Bag revealed that 48 percent of passengers think airlines intentionally profit from confusing baggage policies, and 37 percent of travellers forked out up to AU$200 (R2 300) in excess baggage fees in the past year.
Other odd travel hacks taking off
“Flying naked” isn’t the only quirky airport survival tactic. Passengers have also tried ‘The pillowcase trick’, which involves stuffing a pillowcase with clothes and carrying it on as a “travel pillow.”
‘Snack-stashing’ is another hack where passengers hide items in food containers to sneak through hand luggage checks.
Another involves layering up with clothes at the gate, then shedding the excess once onboard under a travel blanket.
Airlines may frown, but travellers argue they’re just playing the game by the same rules – stretching loopholes to avoid paying more than the ticket price.
With luggage fees unlikely to vanish anytime soon, expect to see more passengers boarding flights looking suspiciously overstuffed, suspiciously layered, or suspiciously empty-handed.
What’s the most bizarre thing you saw someone do on a plane?
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