Did you think you were doing the right thing by tying a scarf or a fluorescent ribbon to your suitcase handle so you could spot it in a flash on the carousel? Think again. An experienced baggage handler reveals that this seemingly harmless gesture could very well be the cause of delays, or even the permanent disappearance of your belongings.
In the hushed world of airport terminals, travelers compete to personalize their luggage. Among the most common tricks: tying a colorful ribbon around the handle or body of the suitcase. The goal is simple—to spot one's belongings amidst a sea of identical models. Yet, this practice, however widespread, conceals a very real risk that few passengers suspect.
What really happens behind the airport walls
Behind the check-in counters, the entire luggage handling process is orchestrated by machines. As soon as you hand over your suitcase, it enters an automated sorting and optical scanning system that directs it to the correct aircraft hold. The problem? A simple piece of fabric can be enough to jam this precision mechanism.
John, a seasoned baggage handler at Dublin Airport, is sounding the alarm: ribbons, straps, or any other accessories added to a suitcase frequently interfere with the automatic scanners. The direct consequence: your luggage is diverted from the main channel and sent to a manual lane. In this case, three scenarios are possible:
- It is not loaded in time on your plane.
- It arrives several days late.
- In the worst-case scenario, it joins the ranks of suitcases that are permanently lost, which companies struggle to find.
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