Losing a checked suitcase is one of the greatest fears when traveling by plane. But it turns out we actually increase the odds by doing something very common: tying a colored ribbon, cord, or bow to identify it quickly on the belt when collecting it at the destination.
An airline baggage handler at a European international airport warns of this. And as travelers we don’t know what happens to the bag beyond watching it go along the belt. But that tie can prevent our bag from going through a key process. Large identification tags can also cause problems. And there are worse things: certain foods, which can be detected as explosives.
“Si son una o dos, sí que puede pasar”
That dark blue American Tourister model is owned by too many people, we think as we close the suitcase, ready for the trip and which we have to check in. So we tie a distinguishing element to it, in case we end up with someone else’s or vice versa. It’s not a good idea.
John, a baggage handler at Dublin Airport, explains to RSVP Live. The worker offers several tips we hadn’t considered, starting with this way of differentiating our suitcase that, in reality, can cause it to be left on the ground. “The ribbons people tie to their suitcases to help identify them can cause problems when scanned in the baggage hall. If the suitcase cannot be scanned automatically, it may end up in a manual process, which could mean that the suitcase doesn’t reach the flight.”
This is related to the airplane’s load sheet that is configured during check-in: “In Air Europa, if there is a discrepancy of five suitcases (about 15 kg per suitcase) a new load sheet must be issued.” The load sheet is essential for how the flaps should be positioned during landing and takeoff.
“El mazapán tiene la misma densidad que algunos explosivos”
John gives more tips to avoid the suitcase becoming misdirected. For example, removing old identification stickers from past flight check-ins, as they can confuse the scanner. Although it’s common for the scanner to ignore them. He also warns that certain foods can cause problems. For example, marzipan: “It has the same density as some explosives, so they will confiscate your suitcase and call you from the plane to have it inspected,” because the scanner might identify it as suspicious.
Additionally, the identification tags with our name and phone number, which we sometimes place, can also cause problems if they are too large because they can snag, explains a baggage worker to The Traveler. It’s not that they stop the rest, but they can tear off and the bag will be left without it, making it harder to find on the belt.
Other workers also debunk certain myths. According to The Sun, placing a ‘Fragile’ label on our suitcase allows it to be placed at the end of the hold, so it’s not underneath others. This puts it closer to the loading door and makes it among the first to be unloaded, so we will have to wait less to collect it on the belt. But one operator notes that the process is so quick that these adhesives are rarely seen, so usually they don’t even notice that it’s there.
