While resourceful travelers have discovered that attaching a ribbon to their luggage makes it stand out from the rest, an airport worker is warning passengers that using personal markers can bring along the kind of baggage you can’t easily unload.
Keep reading to learn why you should never use ribbons or travel with marzipan!
The thought of losing your baggage while traveling can scare even the most experienced travelers.
To reduce the risk of someone else taking their luggage, or of watching their bags endlessly spin around the conveyor belt, travelers are tying colorful ribbons onto their suitcases to make sure theirs stands apart.
But according to John, a baggage handler at Dublin Airport, these popular tricks may cause more harm than good.
They could make your worst travel nightmare come true.
Speaking to RSVP Live, John revealed that tying identifying ribbons on your luggage can cause delays, meaning your belongings might miss the flight.
“Ribbons that people tie onto their suitcases to help identify them can cause issues with the bag being scanned in the baggage hall,” John told the outlet. “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.”
Checking in your suitcase without identifiers like ribbons or old travel stickers gives it a better chance of arriving smoothly.
John advises: “Take old stickers off the bag, it can confuse the scanning process.”
Another surprising thing that can cause problems with your baggage is marzipan, the delicious almond treat. John warns you may be flagged by security if you pack it on vacation.
“Don’t ever pack marzipan in your luggage. It has the same density as some explosives, so your bag will be removed and you’ll be called from the plane for a bag search,” said the Dublin baggage expert.
Lastly, before sending your luggage down the small conveyor belt to handlers like John, make sure it’s wheeled side up to avoid damage.
Luggage has evolved significantly in recent decades, and you no longer have to carry basic black, brown, or navy suitcases.
According to Travel & Leisure, black baggage “is one of the most – if not the most – versatile colors, which is why it’s so popular.”
The outlet writes, “For this reason, it’s worth selecting a different hue if you want your luggage to stand out at baggage claim. Instead, consider a patterned suitcase or perhaps one that comes in a bold color like hot pink.”
And if you’re not fond of pink, you can find luggage in many bright, bold colors that will make your belongings stand out from the rest.
Or, if you’re not ready to part with your current bags, consider using fabric paint or stickers to add identifying features that won’t interfere with scanning.
The Dublin Airport handler’s tips should help relieve some stress for travelers worldwide!
What tips do you have to help travelers avoid airport mishaps? Share your thoughts with us, and then share this story so we can hear from others too!