Many travelers tie ribbons to their luggage to easily spot it on the carousel. However, an airport baggage handler has revealed that this common practice could backfire, leading to frustrating delays.
John, who works at Dublin Airport, warns that ribbons and dangling tags can get caught in baggage handling systems or block scanners. When a bag can’t be scanned properly, it gets flagged for manual processing—which might mean it doesn’t make it onto your flight in time.
He also suggests peeling off old destination stickers, as they can confuse scanning equipment. Another unexpected tip? Avoid packing marzipan in checked luggage. Its dense texture resembles certain hazardous materials, potentially leading to security checks and missed flights.
For better luggage visibility, John recommends choosing a suitcase in a bold color or pattern instead of relying on ribbons. If you prefer to keep your current bag, try using stickers or fabric markers to personalize it without risking scanning issues. A few simple changes can make your journey much smoother.
