One of the more ridiculous travel hacks to emerge in the last two years is designed to save you money on baggage fees.
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With budget airlines charging even for carry-ons, savings-conscious travelers began wearing multiple layers to the airport. Some even stuffed clothing inside of their clothing, creating fake guts and BBLs to sneak their packing list by the gate agent and onto the plane. Others filled pillowcases with clothing, pretending they would sleep on the plane.
Personally, I’ve always wondered how these passengers get past TSA. In reality, clothes are TSA-approved, meaning any lumps and bumps might be investigated but will ultimately be passed through. Pillowcases, it seems, are the easier bet—especially neck pillows.
Here’s what you need to know about sneaking extra clothes on a plane, including when, why, and how you might become a clothes-hiding passenger.
Can you hide clothes to avoid baggage fees on your next flight? The legalities
Just like skiplagging, sneaking extra clothes on a plane isn’t technically illegal. There is no state or federal ruling in the US that officially makes this a crime. However, once again, airlines don’t like it and have the right to deny you boarding if you’re caught sneaking extra clothes onto your flight.
IN other words, you can, but you don’t want to get caught—you’ll be out a plane ticket. Worse, you’ll be forced to head back to the baggage area to pack your clothing according to airline policies. But you won’t get charged by the TSA or any other authorities.
Just a note: It’s worth pointing out that hiding anything at the airport isn’t a good idea, even if it’s just some spare socks rolled up into a neck pillow. If you’re going to try out this hack, make sure there’s nothing else hidden in your rolled clothes that would cause concern for security. Also, be prepared for pat-downs if you’re going to hide clothes inside your clothes rather than inside a pillowcase.
Sneaking extra clothes on a plane: how can you do it?
There are two ways that passengers sneak clothes onto planes: inside their clothes or inside pillowcases. The former is a much more complicated task, as hiding clothes inside your clothes creates unnatural lumps and bumps. Some opt for coats that have multiple compartments—like the Stuffa vest and jackets, which were specifically designed to help you avoid baggage fees.
The pillow route looks to be more popular, allowing travelers to de-stuff or de-foam neck pillows, home pillows, and compact pillows. Even slender wraparound neck pillows offer more packing space than you might imagine, making them a viable, accessible option for anyone who wants to save on baggage fees.
When is it a good idea to try out this travel hack—or is it better to avoid?
The choice is up to you. The main question you need to ask is whether skipping out on carry-on fees is worth the risks. The risks include being denied boarding, getting in trouble with the airline (such as them taking away your elite status), and even feeling uncomfortable on your flight. You will not face legal action for sneaking clothes on a flight.
I’ve seen this hack used to help budget travelers avoid exorbitant carry-on fees—not to skip out on checked luggage for longer journeys. In other words, if you’re going on a short trip with short flights, paying upwards of $50 for a carry-on could double the total cost of your airfare. That’s something any traveler would want to avoid.
Here’s when I would consider using this hack:
- I can almost fit my full packing list into my personal item, making it a waste to pay for a carry-on suitcase
- I will shed some of my packing list at my destination, like dropping off a gift for a loved one, and won’t need as much space on my return flight
- I’m traveling to a cold destination, and have some extras that I don’t usually travel with, like gloves and thick hats