'Take My Clothes Off?' Woman Sparks Plane Showdown
For some travelers, the term "carry-on" seems open to interpretation. That gray area turned into a full-blown incident aboard a Virgin Australia flight, where a dispute over a fanny pack spiraled into a police intervention and court charges. The passenger? A 28-year-old woman from Perth. Her accessory of choice? A so-called "bum bag" — and she wasn't about to take it off without a fight.
Trouble at Takeoff
The altercation unfolded on Virgin Australia flight 696, scheduled to depart Perth for Melbourne on June 21. Before the plane could taxi, crew members reportedly asked the woman to remove her fanny pack for safety reasons. She refused — not once, but repeatedly.
According to airline protocol, passengers must remove items strapped to their body — such as fanny packs or "bum bags" as they're commonly called in Australia — to ensure they don't impede evacuation procedures.
The woman, however, saw things differently.
"You're telling me to take my clothes off on a plane? F--- off," she shouted at a female flight attendant, according to video footage published by news.com.au and View From the Wing.
The attendant responded calmly, saying, "No, I didn't say that. You had a bum bag on. In the event of an evacuation, we need to make sure you're safe and everyone else is safe," according to View From the Wing.
The confrontation escalated quickly, prompting a second crew member to step in and warn the woman that the Australian Federal Police (AFP) would be contacted.
Escorted Off the Plane
Within minutes, AFP officers boarded the aircraft and removed the woman. She resisted, reportedly screaming and struggling as she was taken off the plane. Authorities later confirmed she was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting police. She's expected to appear in court at a future date.
Despite the dramatic scene, no injuries were reported. The flight eventually departed Perth nearly an hour behind schedule.
Fanny Packs: Fashion or Luggage?
At the heart of the debate is a simple question: Is a fanny pack considered clothing — or an extra bag?
Some frequent flyers argue that because it's worn like a belt or crossbody accessory, it should count as part of one's clothing — not as a separate carry-on item. Travel writer Gary Leff, writing for View From the Wing, noted, "A belt that you can store items in is still a belt," adding that jackets and cargo pants with pockets are rarely scrutinized the same way.
Airlines, however, may not see it that way. While policies vary, many carriers — including Virgin Australia — instruct passengers to remove any personal item that isn't safely stowed under the seat or in an overhead bin during takeoff and landing. That includes fanny packs.
Public Reactions and Policy Questions
Online commentary about the incident has been divided. Some viewers sympathize with the passenger, suggesting the rule seemed overly strict or that the request to remove her bag was poorly communicated. Others point out that the flight attendant remained composed while enforcing a clear safety regulation — and that compliance is a reasonable expectation for all passengers.
Regardless of public opinion, the legal process will now play out in court.
References: Cursing passenger kicked off plane before takeoff following argument with flight attendant — over fanny pack: video | 'You're Telling Me To Take My Clothes Off On A Plane?' Woman Dragged Off Flight After Fanny Pack Meltdown | Female passenger booted from Melbourne-bound Virgin flight in Perth
