Ever tried jazzing up your suitcase with a bright ribbon on the handle to make it stand out? Hold onto your hats, because we’ve got news that might make you rethink your decorating strategy!
Everyone wants their luggage to be easily identifiable, especially when navigating through a bustling airport. Many of us personalize our suitcases with tags, ribbons, and quirky stickers in hopes of preventing someone else from mistakenly walking off with our precious belongings.
However, according to John, a baggage handler at Dublin Airport, these well-meaning embellishments might actually cause more problems than they solve.
Let’s face it: personalizing our bags is important. Nothing’s worse than discovering your suitcase still languishing at the airport among a sea of other bags when you’ve already reached your dream destination. Some travelers even go to extremes like attaching a GoPro to monitor their luggage’s journey!
But before bedazzling your suitcase, consider John’s advice. While tying ribbons to your suitcase handles can make them easier to spot, there’s a potential downside. Here’s John’s take on it:
“When travelers attach ribbons to their luggage for identification, it can interfere with the scanning process at baggage claim. If the bag can’t be scanned automatically and has to be processed manually, there’s a risk it might not make it onto the right flight”.
Think about it: the scanner might struggle to read your beautifully adorned bag with a ribbon, leading to it missing its intended flight. Not quite worth the risk, is it?
John also suggests removing any outdated stickers from your suitcase. These stickers can cause confusion during scanning, potentially resulting in delays or misplaced luggage. While we understand the sentimental value of travel stickers, it might be best to part with them for smoother travels.
Here’s another handy tip from John: when packing your suitcase, make sure the wheels are facing upwards. This simple step helps protect the wheels from damage and ensures your suitcase rolls smoothly without any issues.
Now, here’s a quirky tidbit especially for baking enthusiasts or those with a sweet tooth: avoid packing marzipan in your luggage. Why? According to John, marzipan, a sugary confection made from sugar, egg, and ground almonds, has a density similar to some explosives. Yes, you read that right. This similarity could trigger a thorough inspection of you and your luggage, potentially causing you to miss your flight entirely.
Imagine having your luggage meticulously searched and swabbed just because of a small piece of almond paste. Missing holidays because of marzipan mishaps simply isn’t worth it!
The lesson here is that while decorating your suitcase or packing delicious treats like marzipan might seem harmless, it’s often best to err on the side of caution. By following these tips, your journey should be smoother and free of unnecessary incidents.
So, leave those ribbons at home and enjoy a safe journey!