Warning: This common luggage habit could delay your bags

If you’re one of the millions of travellers who use this hack, you should stop it immediately.

Eleanor Katelaris

2 min read

June 7, 2024 - 9:11AM

Lifestyle

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Every traveller’s worst nightmare is a delayed bag or, even worse, a suitcase that doesn’t make it to its destination.

Savvy jetsetters often ditch checked luggage altogether, but for those who must check a bag, personalising their suitcase with ribbons, tags, and other unique identifiers seems like a smart move.

However, this popular hack might be working against you.

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Image: IStock

“Causes issues with the bag scanner”

Many passengers believe decorating their suitcases with these sorts of accessories will make their bags easier to spot among the sea of identical black suitcases.

But according to a seasoned airport baggage handler, John, these well-meaning additions can actually slow down your bag's arrival.

"Ribbons that people tie onto their suitcases to help identify them can cause issues with the bag being scanned in the baggage hall," he revealed to RSVP Live.

While these identifiers do make your bag easier to recognise, they often wreak havoc on the automated scanning systems.

"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," John explained.

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A smoother journey for your luggage and you!

Don’t you hate the feeling of watching everyone else collect their bags while you wait anxiously, wondering if your suitcase even made it onto the plane? Not fun, right?

To avoid this hassle, John suggests sending your suitcase off without all the extras.

“Take old stickers off the bag; it can cause confusion with the scanning process,” he advised.

So, even though it might feel a bit boring, a plain bag has a better chance of arriving on time and unscathed.

Another pro tip from John: make sure your suitcase is wheels-up before dropping it off.

This simple trick can help prevent damage to the wheels and ensure your bag rolls smoothly once you reach your holiday destination.

Although airlines are responsible for repairing or reimbursing passengers for damaged baggage, dealing with the paperwork and waiting to hear about a solution can put a damper on your trip!