Have you ever found yourself nervously scanning the baggage carousel, hoping your suitcase doesn’t get lost in the sea of ​​identical bags?
You are not alone. The anxiety of losing your luggage can be a traveler’s worst nightmare. But what if the simple tricks you’ve been using to make your luggage stand out are actually making things worse?
Before you wrap that shiny tape around your suitcase or pack that tasty marzipan, read on for some surprising reasons why these well-intentioned strategies can backfire.
If you’ve ever spent time at the airport searching for your belongings at the baggage carousel, you’ll understand the anxiety of witnessing many of the same suitcases going through the conveyor belt.
Resourceful travelers have found that securing their luggage with ribbon increases their visibility; However, an airport employee warns that the use of personal tags may result in baggage that cannot be claimed.
Read on for reasons to avoid ribbons and refrain from traveling with marzipan!
The prospect of losing luggage while traveling can intimidate even the most seasoned traveler.
Passengers attach colored tapes to their luggage to reduce the risk of their luggage being picked up or watching their luggage constantly rotate on the conveyor belt to ensure their luggage is distinguishable from others.
According to Dublin Airport worker John, these prevalent techniques are more harmful than beneficial.
Your worst travel nightmare really can come true.
Leave the tape at home.
In an interview with RSVP Live, John revealed that attaching ID straps to bags can result in delays and possibly cause your belongings to miss the plane.
“Ribbons that individuals attach to their suitcases for identification purposes can interfere with the scanning process in the baggage area.”
John addressed the drawer. “If the bag cannot be scanned automatically, it may require manual processing, which may result in bag failure.”
Using a suitcase free of identifiers such as tapes and outdated travel tags increases the likelihood that it will arrive without complications.
John suggests, “Remove outdated stickers from the bag as they can cause confusion during scanning.”
Marzipan, a delicious confection made from sweet almonds, can cause problems with your luggage, as John warns that bringing it on holiday could result in increased scrutiny by security staff.
Don’t pack marzipan in your suitcase. A Dublin baggage expert said: “It has a density comparable to some explosives, which prompted them to confiscate your bag and remove you from the plane for a search.”
Before sending luggage onto a small conveyor for handlers like John, make sure the wheels are raised to avoid damage.
No additional luggage is required.
Luggage has undergone significant development in recent decades and there is no need to carry only the basic black, brown, or blue variant.
Travel & Leisure states that black luggage is “one of the most versatile—if not the most versatile—and that’s why it’s so popular.”
The publication states, “Choosing a different shade is therefore beneficial if you want your luggage to stand out at baggage claim.”
Instead, consider luggage with a bold pattern or a bright shade like pink.
If pink isn’t your thing, there are plenty of bright and eye-catching shades of luggage to make your stuff stand out.
If you want to keep your existing containers, consider using fabric paint or stickers that have distinctive features that won’t hinder scanning.
Finally, while it may seem harmless to give your luggage a personal touch, advice from experienced airport staff like John reveals that simple tricks like tying ribbons or bringing marzipan can cause unnecessary delays and even security concerns. To ensure your luggage gets through the airport smoothly, consider investing in brightly colored or patterned suitcases, remove old stickers, and avoid items that could set off security alarms. By following these precautions, you will not only increase the chances of your luggage arriving at your destination on time but also reduce stress at the airport. Stay savvy and prepared and your travel experience will be much smoother from start to finish.