Trying to get your luggage together after a long exhausting day of travel is frustrating. Especially because many suitcases look the same, people often risk grabbing the wrong bag. As such, Many people have learned a great hack for recognizing their luggage on the conveyor belt; they tie colorful ribbons or string on so their bags are easily recognizable. However, a baggage handler has shared why that isn’t always a great idea.
A Luggage Handler’s Observation
Recently, John, a luggage handler at Dublin Airport shared a few tips regarding packing and handling your luggage. One important tip notes the negative effects of placing ribbons or bows on your luggage to make it more recognizable.
“Ribbons that people tie onto their suitcases to help identify them can cause issues with the bag being scanned in the baggage hall. If the bag can’t be scanned automatically, it can end up in manual processing, which could mean your bag doesn’t make it to the flight.” He said.
Read More: Many Travellers Do The Exact Same Superstitious Gesture Before Getting on a Plane
Alternatives to Make Luggage Stand Out
For many, it’s stressful, inconvenient, and an annoyance when their luggage doesn’t meet them at their final destination. As such, it’s worth considering his warning and looking for alternatives. For example, buying unique or personalized luggage guarantees you’ll be able to recognize it. Additionally, fabric paint or stickers will also help add notable features and a pop of color without interfering with the dimensions or labels that need to be scanned.
Sharing Other Bits of Wisdom
John explains a few other helpful, if not out of-the-box, tips. Another detail he notes is regarding labels or tags from previous flights. He explains that they should be removed because they can confuse the electronic scanners, causing luggage to sometimes travel to unplanned destinations.
Next, he shares another luggage hack that nearly everyone instinctively does. Most people put their luggage down when weighing it or laying it on its side before handing it off to airline personnel. However, he shares that luggage should be placed with the wheels facing up because they’re prone to damage but, this will help minimize the risk.
Lastly, he shares a final tip. One that likely isn’t common but still worth mentioning because you never know what people hope to bring home when they travel to other parts of the world. He shares that Marzipan has the same density as some explosives. As such, packing it in your checked luggage leaves you subject to removal from a plane and a mandatory search.
Effectively Packing Luggage
John isn’t the only expert regarding how to pack luggage. Seasoned travelers, other airline personnel, and travel experts have also shined some light on how to pack your luggage so it’s as hassle-free as possible.
Lay It All Out
Read More: 8 Reasons Why Traveling with Family is So Important
Soft Bags to Carry-On
Extra Bags
Roll Instead of Fold
