Everyone has their own way of making sure their luggage stands out on the airport baggage carousel.
Some travelers use bright, colorful tags with their names and addresses written inside, while others wrap their bags in layers of plastic or fabric in a rainbow of hues.
One inventive traveler even attached a GoPro to their luggage—talk about a creative solution! After all, it’s truly embarrassing to pull a bag from the carousel only to realize it's not yours.
That awkward moment when you have to sheepishly put it back and act like nothing happened.
To avoid this, frequent flyers sometimes tie a small, neat ribbon around the handle as a quick identifier.
This ensures there’s no confusion as you spot your own black bag coming down the carousel, instead of your neighbor's.
However, if you’re one of those travelers who rely on this trick, it might be time to rethink the habit.
John, a baggage handler at Dublin Airport, shared that tying a ribbon to your luggage could actually cause more trouble than it’s worth.
In your effort to avoid an embarrassing mix-up, you might be unintentionally preventing your bag from getting on the plane in the first place.
And let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination without your luggage.
Speaking with RSVP Live, John explained why ribbons on bags can create problems: “The ribbons people tie onto their suitcases to help identify them can interfere with the bag’s ability to be scanned properly. If the bag can’t be scanned automatically, it may end up needing manual processing, which could mean your bag doesn’t make it onto the flight,” he said.
John also recommended removing old stickers from your luggage, as they can confuse the scanning system.
But that wasn’t all—he shared more tips.
For those worried about suitcase damage, he advised placing the wheels up during packing.
John also revealed what sweet treat you should absolutely avoid packing in your luggage.
For anyone with a sweet tooth, especially those preparing for the Great British Bake Off, here’s an important tip: never, under any circumstances, pack Marzipan in your luggage.
The reason? Marzipan, which is made from almonds, sugar, and eggs, has a similar density to some explosives, making it a potential red flag for airport security.
So, if you ignore John’s advice, don’t be too surprised if you’re pulled aside for further questioning.
Take note: no ribbons and no Marzipan. Have a great trip!
