Trying to make your suitcase stand out at the airport might backfire, according to a Dublin Airport employee.
When you’re heading off on holiday, you want your luggage to be easy to spot among the crowd, just in case it gets lost in the shuffle. Many travelers decorate their bags with trinkets, keychains, or colorful strings, hoping to prevent someone else from mistakenly taking their suitcase. A popular method is tying a ribbon on the handle.
However, a baggage handler at Dublin Airport, named John, warns that this approach could disrupt your travel plans. He explained that personalizing your luggage with ribbons might actually cause more harm than good, potentially preventing your bag from even making it onto the plane.
John told RSVP Live, “Ribbons tied onto suitcases to help identify them can interfere with the bag’s scanning process in the baggage hall. If the bag can’t be scanned automatically, it may end up needing manual processing, which could result in it missing the flight.”
He also advised travelers to remove old stickers from their luggage to avoid confusion during scanning.
John shared additional tips for a smooth travel experience, such as placing your suitcase with the wheels facing up to prevent damage. But his most important advice is to never pack marzipan. The thick paste made from ground almonds, sugar, and eggs has a density similar to some explosives, which could lead to your bag being pulled aside for a thorough inspection.
In short, if you want to make your flight without a hitch, it’s best to leave the ribbons and baking supplies at home.