Video Pregnant passenger stunned when flight attendant refuses to lift her carry-on bag Etiquette expert Diane Gottsman weighs in after a pregnant influencer said a crew member declined to assist with her carry-on.
A pregnant influencer’s awkward luggage spat has ignited a heated debate over flight attendant responsibilities.
Influencer Dominique Elissa recently recalled asking a male flight attendant to place her bag in an overhead bin while she was traveling.
Speaking on the "Big Small Talk" podcast on Oct. 7, Elissa said she explained to the flight attendant that she was pregnant and had been told not to lift the bag herself. The bag weighed nearly nine pounds, according to Elissa.
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She said the flight attendant declined to lift it. She told her that if she could not put the bag in the overhead bin herself, it would need to be checked. The airline involved in the incident was not identified.
"I was just so shocked," the influencer said on the podcast.
Influencer Dominique Elissa, pictured at right, said she asked a male flight attendant for help after being advised not to lift her luggage while pregnant. (iStock; James Gourley/Getty Images for AFW)
Another passenger eventually noticed the situation and offered to help her with the luggage, she said.
"I feel this lack of respect for pregnant women at the moment," Elissa added on the podcast.
Fox News Digital reached out to Elissa's team for further details.
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Diane Gottsman, a national etiquette expert and founder of the Protocol School of Texas, told Fox News Digital that travelers should not assume a flight attendant will be able to handle their luggage.
"They're customer service providers," said Gottsman. "They want to make your travel comfortable and safe. They're not baggage handlers."
The influencer (not pictured) said another passenger eventually noticed her situation and offered to help with her luggage after a flight attendant declined to lift her carry-on bag. (iStock)
Gottsman said policies vary by airline, with some airline and union rules discouraging or prohibiting flight attendants from lifting heavy bags due to safety and injury concerns.
She also noted that the flight attendant offered Elissa an alternative by suggesting she check the bag.
"Not their job! If you cannot lift your bags, then you should politely [ask] another passenger."
While fellow passengers often help pregnant travelers, Gottsman says moms-to-be shouldn't assume they'll get assistance.
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If someone nearby is able and chooses to help, it should be viewed as "an act of kindness and generosity," Gottsman said.
For travelers who know they cannot lift their own carry-on, Gottsman recommended considering checking those bags instead.
"I was under the impression flight attendants aren't allowed to lift bags into the overhead bins," one Reddit user commented.
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Some commenters said they had seen flight attendants voluntarily step in to help.
"I didn't know this. I've had multiple flight attendants help me with this when I'm traveling alone," one person wrote. "I don't even ask. They just see me struggling and intervene."
Other commenters thought the traveler should be responsible.
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"Not their job! If you cannot lift your bags, then you should politely [ask] another passenger," one user wrote.
Kelly McGreal is a production assistant with the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital.
