Wellness influencer Dominique Elissa, 31, has publicly shared her experience of a flight attendant declining to place her nine-pound carry-on bag into the overhead compartment, a situation she described as "shocking" and indicative of a "lack of respect" for pregnant women.
Elissa recounted the incident on the "Big Small Talk" podcast, stating that when she asked the male flight attendant for assistance due to her pregnancy, he informed her that if she could not lift the bag herself, she would have to check it. Elissa noted that the bag was not large and recalled a previous instance where she had injured herself attempting to lift her own luggage.
The model's account, shared on social media, drew a divided response. While some commenters expressed sympathy and support for Elissa, others argued that pregnancy does not negate personal responsibility for managing one's luggage and that checking the bag was a viable alternative. Some users pointed out that flight attendants often have policies restricting them from lifting passenger bags due to liability concerns.
Industry professionals have corroborated these concerns. Taylor Garland, a spokesperson for the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, explained to Inside Hook that flight attendants are trained against lifting passenger baggage due to the significant risk of injury. Such injuries can lead to delays or cancellations of flights, impacting both crew and passengers.
Airline policies typically state that passengers are responsible for stowing their own carry-on luggage. While accommodations are often made for passengers with disabilities or specific needs, the extent of physical assistance provided by crew members can vary and is often governed by safety regulations and company policy to prevent staff injuries.