A determined passenger has gone viral after wearing multiple layers of clothing to avoid paying an excess baggage fee. Gel Rodriguez, from Davao City in the Philippines, found herself over the weight limit at the airport in 2019 and decided to put on the extra items rather than pay.
Check-in staff told Rodriguez that her hand luggage weighed 9kg, which was 2kg over the airline's limit. Instead of paying the fee, she opened her bag and began layering up. By the time she finished, she was wearing at least three pairs of trousers or shorts, five shirts, and three jackets, adding an extra 2.5kg to her person.
Rodriguez shared a photo of her layered outfit on social media, which recently resurfaced as passengers continue to seek crafty ways to avoid luggage fees. She told Vice that she didn't want to pay for just two kilograms over the limit, adding: 'If I had known it would go viral, I would have posed better.'
Despite the success of her stunt, Rodriguez said she would not try it again, describing the experience as 'really hot'. She advised others against attempting the same trick. The incident highlights the strict baggage policies of budget airlines, where extra fees can apply for overweight or additional cabin bags.
