Why Personalizing Your Luggage Could Lead to Travel Delays

When you’re preparing for a trip, making your luggage stand out from the crowd might seem like a smart idea. Many travelers decorate their suitcases with key rings, luggage tags, colorful strings, stickers, or even tie a ribbon around the handle to easily spot their bags and avoid mix-ups. However, according to a Dublin Airport employee, these personal touches could cause more harm than good.

The Hidden Risks of Personalizing Your Luggage

A baggage handler named John has warned that adding ribbons or other decorations to your suitcase can actually create issues during the airport’s baggage handling process. He explained, “Ribbons people tie onto their suitcases to help identify them can cause issues with the bag being scanned in the baggage hall. If the bag can’t be scanned automatically, it can end up in manual processing, which could mean your bag doesn’t make it to the flight.”

The baggage scanning process relies on automatic systems to efficiently move bags through the airport. When something as simple as a ribbon gets in the way, it can prevent the scanner from reading the bag’s barcode, leading to delays. If your bag requires manual processing, it increases the chances of it being left behind or delayed, which is the last thing you want when heading on holiday.

Additional Tips for a Hassle-Free Travel Experience

In addition to avoiding ribbons and other personal decorations, John also advised removing old stickers from your suitcase to prevent confusion during scanning. Old or outdated stickers can interfere with the scanning process, potentially causing delays similar to those caused by ribbons.

John also shared a practical tip for protecting your suitcase: always place your suitcase with the wheels facing up when checking it in. This simple step can help prevent damage to the wheels, ensuring your bag rolls smoothly once you reach your destination.

Another crucial piece of advice from John is to avoid packing marzipan in your luggage. Marzipan, a thick paste made from ground almonds, sugar, and egg, has a density similar to some explosives. This can result in your bag being flagged for additional screening, which could lead to further delays or complications at the airport.

Ensuring a Smooth Trip

While it might be tempting to personalize your luggage, the potential risks during the baggage handling process suggest that it’s best to keep things simple. By following these tips—leaving the ribbons and cake supplies at home, removing old stickers, and protecting your suitcase—you can help ensure that your bag arrives at your destination on time and intact.

Traveling can be stressful enough without having to worry about whether your bag will make it onto the plane. By taking these precautions, you can enjoy a smoother, more relaxed journey, knowing your luggage is less likely to encounter any issues along the way.