When going to the airport, most people have a checklist of items they’ll keep close while they travel. Phone, documents, and, of course, a passport are must-haves to make the travel process possible.
However, one woman is urging everyone to check their passports before they travel because a mistake she made almost cost her her holiday, and it was an extremely touch-and-go situation for her.
Leesh shared that it was the “most sickening thing” that she’s “ever been through,” and she didn’t want anyone else to experience the same thing as she did.
Leesh, who posts on TikTok as @leeshandmoo shared that her passport had “ended up in the washing machine,” and the next time she tried to use it, she was “nearly not allowed on the flight”.
As she approached the plane she was boarding, she shared that she was the last person to get on the flight because of her battered passport.
The government website shares that a passport is considered damaged and unfit for travel if details are unreadable, pages are ripped, cut, or missing, the laminate is peeling, the cover is coming loose, or there are major stains or chip damage. Minor scuffs, slight edge curling, or minor scratches usually count as normal wear
If a passport has been through the wash, this would likely render it needing to be replaced.
Leesh explained that she had to “send six different pictures” and “FaceTime the manager” of the airline, and they nearly didn’t let them on the flight because her passport isn’t in good condition.
So if you find yourself in this position now and you’ve got a holiday coming up soon, it’s preferable to get it sorted now.
“I got told that we weren’t gonna be allowed on holiday. They had to check what luggage number I was, in case they had to take my luggage from the hold of the aeroplane,” she shared with her followers.
Leesh said she felt “sick to her stomach” when she heard staff members say “one adult and one child that might not be boarding”. She then admitted that she needs to get herself a new passport as soon as possible.
She then showed her passport, which was torn and frayed, more than standard wear and tear, as it had been through the wash.
In the comments, someone shared: “My partner washed his 2 days before we went away, I was so nervous when we were going through airport control. Luckily, all was okay, and we got to fly”.
Another penned: “I don’t think it’s even that damaged to be honest. Surely if they can clearly see your photo and dates etc then there shouldn’t be a problem. Glad you got on the plane. Have the best time”.
“What the heck are you serious? Mine has pages hanging out and bronzer stains all over it and it’s literally fine,” a woman fumed.