Nowadays, it seems like almost everyone is sharing their travel tricks on social media. But travel experts warn there is one popular trick you should avoid.
According to an article by Men’s Journal, airport baggage handlers warn not to tie a ribbon to your suitcase. Many people do this because they think it will make it easier to identify their luggage at the baggage carousel. Influencers say this so-called trick also helps prevent someone with a similar-looking piece of luggage from accidentally taking yours.
But travel experts say it’s a bad idea because ribbons can interfere with the scanning machines. They caution: “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.”
Another tip from these baggage handling experts is to remove all old stickers with bar codes from previous flights. Those can cause confusion with the scanning process and cause delays.
One thing baggage handlers recommend you do when flying is to label your suitcase inside and out. It’s a good idea to place a card with your contact information inside your suitcase, just in case the external tags come off.
According to the OAL Travel Network, another way to reduce the risk of lost or delayed luggage is to use tracking devices, such as Apple AirTags, to monitor your bags’ movement. They also suggest using TSA-approved locks to secure luggage and prevent theft. These locks can be opened by security officers without damaging your bag.
Do you have ribbons tied to your suitcase? Message The Seniors Trust on Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter) and let us know if this article has you rethinking the travel tips and tricks you adopt.
