Why Baggage Handlers Warn Against Tying Ribbons on Your Luggage

If you’ve ever anxiously scanned the baggage carousel at an airport, searching for your suitcase among a sea of nearly identical bags, you know the stress it can cause.

Savvy travelers have found a solution by tying ribbons to their luggage, making it easier to spot. However, an airport worker has issued a cautionary note: using these personal markers might come with unintended consequences you can’t simply leave behind.

Keep reading to discover why ribbons and marzipan might not be the best travel companions!

The fear of losing luggage is enough to make even the most seasoned traveler uneasy.

To minimize the risk of someone else accidentally taking their bag—or of endlessly watching their suitcase circle by—many travelers are opting to attach colorful ribbons to their suitcases to help them stand out.

But according to a Dublin Airport baggage handler named John, these popular tricks might actually be doing more harm than good.

In fact, they could turn your worst travel nightmare into reality.

**Leave the Ribbon at Home**

Speaking to RSVP Live, John explained that tying identifying ribbons to your luggage can lead to delays, potentially causing your belongings to 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 shared. “If the bag can’t be scanned automatically, it may need to be processed manually, which could mean your bag doesn’t make it onto the flight.”

John suggests that checking in your suitcase without identifiers like ribbons and old travel stickers gives it a better chance of arriving on time and intact.

“Remove old stickers from your bag, as they can cause confusion during the scanning process,” John advised.

Another item that could cause issues is marzipan—the delicious almond-based treat. According to John, bringing marzipan in your luggage could lead to security problems.

“Never pack marzipan in your luggage. It has a similar density to some explosives, so your bag might be removed, and you could be called off the plane for a bag search,” the Dublin baggage expert warned.

Finally, before sending your luggage down the conveyor belt to handlers like John, make sure it’s wheels-side up to prevent damage.

**No More Basic Baggage**

Luggage has come a long way in recent decades, and there’s no need to stick with basic black, brown, or navy.

According to Travel & Leisure, black luggage is “one of the most—if not the most—versatile colors, which is why it’s so popular.”

The outlet suggests that if you want your luggage to stand out at baggage claim, you might want to choose a different hue. Consider a patterned suitcase or one in a bold color like hot pink instead.

And if pink isn’t your style, don’t worry—you can find luggage in a variety of bright, bold colors that will help your belongings stand out from the crowd.

If you’re not ready to part with your current suitcase, consider using fabric paint or stickers to add unique identifying features that won’t interfere with the scanning process.

These tips from the Dublin Airport handler should help ease the stress for travelers around the globe!