Losing your luggage en route to a long-awaited holiday is the stuff of nightmares, and travellers understandably come up with various ways to ensure they can spot their bags among the hundreds that emerge in baggage claim.
But a baggage handler has revealed the surprising reason you shouldn’t attach identifying ribbons of this kind to your luggage, despite the apparent advantages.
Speaking to RSVP Live, John, who works at Dublin airport, said he recommended getting rid of identifying ribbons as they can cause delays in getting your bags loaded onto the plane.
“Ribbons that people tie onto their suitcases to help identify them can cause issues with the bag being scanned in the baggage hall,” he told the outlet.
“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“.
Taking old stickers off your bag is a good idea too, as “it can cause confusion with the scanning process,” he explained.
John also shared his top tips for ensuring that your belongings are returned to you safely when you arrive at your destination.
These include placing your suitcase wheels up so there’s less risk of damage and also flagging how one seemingly innocuous item could get you in a sticky situation.
“Don’t ever pack Marzipan in your luggage,” he warned. “It has the same density as some explosives so your bag will be removed and you’ll be called from the plane for a bag search”.
If your luggage does get lost during your next trip, a travel expert has two great tips for next steps.
Erika Kullberg, a lawyer who regularly makes YouTube videos where she shares flying tips, recommends taking a picture of your luggage before you check-in.
“If you already follow me, you know that if your bag is damaged, delayed or lost, the airline is responsible for up to $3,800 (£3,050).
“I take the picture as proof of what the bag looked like at check-in, just in case I need to claim that money.”
According to Citizens Advice, passengers have a legal right to claim compensation if their checked-in luggage has been delayed, damaged or lost.
In most cases, the airline company will give affected passengers essential items, such as underwear and soap, in addition to a small amount of money to go towards replacing or repairing contents.
She also advises using a tracking device to ensure the bag can be located if anything goes awry.
“Once I land, I’ll know where every bag is or, if it’s been lost or delayed, I’ll know so I can file a claim,” she said.