A passenger pretended to be pregnant to dodge expensive airline baggage fees, then shared the trick online, sparking debate and criticism.
In a bold move to avoid high airline baggage fees, a traveler pretended to be pregnant.
This clever trick has drawn attention on social media, sparking debates about airline policies and the lengths some people will go to save money.
Woman slammed for faking pregnancy to avoid airline baggage fees
Grace Hale, a 20-year-old from Dallas, Texas, came up with the idea during her recent flight.
She wanted to travel from London to Edinburgh but did not want to pay for extra luggage.
Instead of paying the baggage fees, she decided to create a fake pregnancy bump using her makeup bag and jackets.
Hale tucked the items under her coat to make it look like she was several months pregnant. This creative solution allowed her to avoid additional charges.
She shared her experience on TikTok, where it went viral, gaining over 1.2 million views. Many viewers found her trick amusing and praised her creativity.
Before executing her plan, Hale did some research. She looked up what pregnancy bumps look like at different stages.
“I Googled what pregnancy bumps looked like at different months and how far along I’d be.”
After some thought, she decided to pretend to be about 26 weeks along. This age was chosen because, at 28 weeks, airlines often require a doctor’s note for pregnant passengers.
Hale found humor in her situation and described it as “funny.” She enjoyed the challenge of making her fake bump look convincing.
@gracecatherinehale Its a boy and we’re naming him Ryan @Ryanair
Travelers often struggle with packing light versus overpacking options.
Hale is known for her love of fashion and her tendency to overpack. She likes to have multiple outfit choices for any trip.
However, when she realized her bags were too heavy for the flight, she had to get creative to avoid paying extra fees.
“It’s ridiculously expensive if you want to take a bag on a Ryanair flight,” she told The Jam, “I like to take ten options for a three-day trip.”
“I like to take ten options for a three-day trip,” Hale explained.
However, she quickly learned that overpacking can lead to complications at the airport. As she rushed to the airport, she knew she needed a solution.
She successfully pulling off the stunt
On the day of her flight, Hale practiced her pregnancy act to ensure it would work.
She wrapped the jackets around her makeup bag and tucked them under her shirt.
This preparation paid off when she successfully passed through airport security without any issues.
Hale’s faux pregnancy stunt went off without a hitch. The airline staff did not question her, and she was able to board the flight without paying for extra luggage.
This experience left her feeling triumphant and relieved.
High baggage fees are causing widespread frustration among travelers.
Hale’s story emphasizes a growing frustration with airline baggage fees.
Many budget airlines, including Ryanair, Air Canada, and Southwest Airlines, have been criticized for their high charges.
These fees can range from $50 to $80 for extra bags, making air travel more expensive for passengers.
Airlines have implemented stricter carry-on policies, increasing charges for basic-economy passengers.
For example, Air Canada recently announced that it would charge its customers $25 for their first carry-on bag.
This change has frustrated many travelers who are trying to save money while flying.
Social media reactions
Hale’s story has sparked various reactions online. Some people find her resourcefulness impressive, while others criticize her actions as deceptive.
One user said: Disgusting!!!!
The second user wrote: Why is she so proud of her cheating act?
The third user added: Can you plz do a tutorial on how you wrap ur hair like that haha I lowkey wanna wear it like that at the gym so I don’t ruin my curls
The fourth user commented: Did security not ask you to take your coat off ….
Another user said: This killed me.
Someone added: Smart until we ask you how many weeks pregnant you are and depending on your answer, for your fit to fly certificate.