A Woman Pretended To Be Pregnant To Avoid Baggage Fees

Rebecca Andrews is a Melbourne travel blogger who recently got busted trying to run a pretty amazing con. Her efforts went viral, because they were so elaborate and ridiculous and ultimately would only have saved her about $60.

On her Instagram page, Andrews showed how she stuffed a leopard print onesie with all of her belongings, forming the shape of a big pregnant belly. Don’t ask me how she planned to go to the bathroom on this trip, because I have no idea:

https://www.instagram.com/tv/B4Bu0hUHzrK/?utm_source=ig_embed

Andrews was interviewed by Buzzfeed about her stunt, and she claims she shared the video with friends because she thought it was funny, but also genuinely finds the ability to grow a baby incredible—especially when it gets you deals.

“What a great thing to take advantage of when you want to save $60,” she said.

Buzzfeed got her tips and tricks for making the belly carry-on work:

1) Precheck into the flight or go to the do-it-yourself computer thingy at the airport. Do not check in at the airline counter.

2) Go through security then head to the bathroom.

3) Find the baby-change area as it’s bigger than a toilet cubicle.

4) Put on something stretchy or Lycra — a good reason to be a cyclist.

5) Wrap your smallest but heaviest items — aka electronics — in something satin: the more slippery the fabric, the easier it is to slide down your front.

6) Shape it into a baby bump (or a beer-belly) — five months is best as you don’t need to change the way you walk.

7) Put your laptop / tablet / book down your back. Make sure it is secure and won’t slip around (use stockings or similar if you feel you need to tie it on).

8) Double layer your clothes. TIP: the baggier the better.

9) A thick jacket — leather or puffer — is the icing on the cake.

I’m not sure why Andrews is being asked for advice, actually, because her ruse FAILED. She got busted right after her ticket was scanned, mere steps from the plane.

“I somehow dropped the ticket and as I bent over to pick it up, I made a noise and the staff looked at me. The shape of my laptop became apparent and the jig was up,” she said.

Even after this embarrassing moment, Andrews stuck with her lie and kept arguing with attendants about how “women can wear what they want” including a laptop in their bra, but it didn’t work out.

“Unfortunately, the airline lady was hardcore. I have a lot of respect for her,” said Andrews.

Do you? Then why are you making her life hard?

Baggage fees on planes are often outrageous, but if you’re going to try and cheat your way out of them, may I recommend layering, like Gel Rodriguez, who went viral for a similar strategy:

when the airline staff at the check in counter said: “EXCESS NA PO KAYO, 7kg lang po allowed na hand carry.”me: NO PROBLEM! 😏*from 9kg to 6.5kg baggage 😅#ExcessBaggageChallengeAccepted

Posted by Gel Rodriguez on Tuesday, October 1, 2019

It’s just easier to not have to invent an entire human life growing inside you. Words to live by, in my opinion.

On her Instagram page, Andrews showed how she stuffed a leopard print onesie with all of her belongings, forming the shape of a big pregnant belly. Don’t ask me how she planned to go to the bathroom on this trip, because I have no idea:

“I somehow dropped the ticket and as I bent over to pick it up, I made a noise and the staff looked at me. The shape of my laptop became apparent and the jig was up,” she said.

Baggage fees on planes are often outrageous, but if you’re going to try and cheat your way out of them, may I recommend layering, like Gel Rodriguez, who went viral for a similar strategy:

More travel hacks and funny fails: