A baggage handler has shared the reason why travellers should avoid tying a ribbon to their suitcase – and it’s for something that many people may not have ever considered
The wait for your luggage at the airport’s baggage carousel can seem endless – and it’s made worse when every suitcase looks identical. There are numerous tricks to make your luggage stand out, with many travellers opting for the classic ribbon technique.
A small, vibrant ribbon tied around your suitcase handle might appear to be a straightforward solution to spot your belongings. But this common practice has come under scrutiny. A baggage handler from Dublin Airport has issued a warning to passengers, suggesting that this well-intentioned habit could actually backfire, recommending they ditch the ribbon routine.
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The airport employee, named John, explained: “Ribbons people tie onto their suitcases to help identify them can cause issues with the bag being scanned in the baggage hall.”
He warned that if the luggage fails to be scanned automatically, it might be diverted to manual processing, raising the risk of it not making it onto the plane.
John also urged frequent flyers to “take old stickers off the bag” as they can “confusion with the scanning process”. Additionally, the baggage expert offered some extra travel tips, such as placing your suitcase wheels-up to prevent damage, reports the Express.
John even disclosed one particular confectionery item to avoid packing – marzipan. Apparently, due to its dense mixture of almonds, sugar, and eggs, marzipan can mimic the density of certain explosives.
Holidaymakers should think beyond just their luggage at the airport, as a travel guru has highlighted that your choice of attire can also play a crucial role.
Mari, a frequent travel tipster on TikTok, pointed out that it’s not the style but the fabric of your garments that matters, with some materials posing greater risks than others.
She strongly advises against wearing “synthetic materials” on a plane due to safety concerns. In the unfortunate event of an in-flight emergency and fire, synthetic fabrics are notorious for melting onto the skin, leading to severe injuries.
In her social media advice, she clarified: “That doesn’t mean that natural fibre clothing doesn’t cause burns or catch fire. It just means that synthetic fibre materials do cause burns at a higher rate.”
