A baggage handler has shared his top tip for ensuring your luggage doesn’t get damaged during a flight – and it’s all to do with the type of wheels your suitcase has
Picture yourself embarking on that dream getaway you’ve been planning for ages. You’ve navigated airport security at your perfect destination and now find yourself stationed beside the baggage carousel, anxiously awaiting your luggage’s arrival.
Yet when your case finally emerges, it’s glaringly obvious that it’s been through the wars. It’s bashed about, potentially sporting a busted zip, leaving you to wonder what carnage awaits your fragile belongings inside.
This nightmare scenario is every holidaymaker’s worst fear, but there are measures you can implement to reduce the likelihood of your baggage getting a battering.
An airport baggage handler has taken to Reddit to reveal insider knowledge about their profession, according to Devon Live.
The key to protecting your luggage lies entirely with the wheels, reports the Express.
Cases featuring two wheels, or ideally four functioning ones, can be effortlessly wheeled into the aircraft’s cargo hold, keeping your precious items secure.
Bags lacking wheels frequently end up being hurled into the hold, potentially causing significant damage.
The baggage handler admitted that cases with jammed wheels represent their “absolute least favourite” items to handle.
They revealed: “We try to roll it down, but it just falls over after moving six inches.”
To guarantee your belongings’ safety, they suggest purchasing a top-quality suitcase equipped with four properly working wheels, cushioned interior lining, and a robust outer casing for maximum protection. The handler confessed that fragile stickers might not offer the safeguard travellers assume, hinting that they could inadvertently encourage harsher treatment from staff.
“Some of us are tempted to treat them worse, but we never do. Having a fragile tag doesn’t really make a difference,” he clarified.
Regarding how far wheel-less luggage can be lobbed, the baggage handler revealed the furthest distance they’ve seen was “about five metres or so”.