Many travelers add colorful ribbons or strings to their suitcases to make them easier to spot on busy airport carousels. However, a baggage handler from Dublin Airport is urging passengers to reconsider this common practice.
John, an experienced luggage handler at one of Europe’s busiest airports, shared that while the ribbons might help passengers identify their bags quickly, they can also create unexpected problems during baggage handling. “We understand why people do it,” he said, “but those ribbons often get caught in the conveyor belts or baggage machines, causing delays or even damage to the luggage.”
When ribbons or other decorative additions get tangled in airport machinery, it can halt operations and force staff to manually remove them. This not only slows down the entire luggage process but also increases the risk of bags being mishandled or misdirected.
Moreover, the handler pointed out that such identifiers may not always be as helpful as travelers think. “If a ribbon falls off or someone else has a similar one, it can lead to confusion,” John explained. In some cases, passengers have taken home the wrong bag simply because the ribbons looked identical.
Instead of using external decorations, travelers are advised to use more reliable methods to distinguish their luggage. Suggestions include using a luggage tag with your contact information, choosing a unique color or pattern when purchasing your suitcase, or applying permanent stickers that won’t fall off or interfere with the machinery.
John also reminded travelers that if they absolutely must use ribbons, they should keep them short and tightly secured to avoid entanglements. “We want to handle your bags safely and quickly, but we need your help too,” he added.
This warning has been echoed by airport authorities in various locations, especially during busy travel seasons when baggage volume surges and the potential for delays increases. The advice is simple: Think twice before tying that ribbon. It may seem like a harmless way to spot your bag, but it could be causing more trouble than it’s worth.
As air travel continues to bounce back and airports get busier, even small steps like this can help ensure a smoother experience for everyone.