This is why you should never tie a ribbon on your suitcase at the airport. i can't believe i didn't know this!
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If you’ve ever spent time anxiously scanning the airport baggage carousel for your precious luggage, you know the stress of watching hundreds of nearly identical suitcases glide past on the conveyor belt.
Many clever travelers have discovered a simple trick — tying a bright ribbon or colored tag to their bag to make it stand out. But according to one airport worker, this common practice can actually cause serious problems, sometimes even preventing your luggage from making it onto the plane.
The mere thought of losing your suitcase mid-journey is enough to make even the most seasoned traveler nervous.
To avoid having someone accidentally grab the wrong bag — or watching yours circle endlessly on the carousel — many passengers tie colorful ribbons or attach unique identifiers to make their luggage easy to spot.
However, John, a baggage handler at Dublin Airport, warns that these popular hacks often do more harm than good — and could even turn your travel nightmare into reality.
Leave the Ribbon at Home
In an interview with RSVP Live, John revealed that those identifying ribbons and tags can interfere with the automatic scanning systems used in airport baggage halls — potentially causing delays that result in your luggage missing the flight entirely.
“Ribbons that people tie to their suitcases to help identify them can cause issues when the bag is scanned,” John explained. “If the bag can’t be scanned automatically, it may be sent for manual inspection — which could mean your suitcase doesn’t make it onto the flight.”
His advice? Keep your luggage clean and simple.
“Remove old travel stickers — they can confuse the scanners,” he added.
Checking in a bag without extra ribbons, dangling tags, or leftover stickers gives it a much better chance of making it smoothly through the system.
Unexpected Baggage Hazards
Surprisingly, John also warned travelers about something you’d never expect: marzipan.
The sweet almond treat, he says, can actually raise red flags during security checks.
“Never pack marzipan in your luggage,” John advised. “It has a similar density to certain explosives, so your bag might be pulled from the flight and you could be called off the plane for a manual inspection.”
And before you hand your suitcase over to airport staff, make sure to place it on the conveyor with the wheels facing upward — a simple step that helps prevent damage during handling.
Move Beyond Basic Black
Luggage design has evolved dramatically in recent decades, and travelers no longer need to stick to the same old black, brown, or navy suitcases.
According to Travel & Leisure, black luggage “is one of the most versatile — if not the most versatile — colors, which is why it’s so popular.”
However, the magazine recommends opting for something different if you want your bag to stand out at baggage claim:
“Consider a patterned suitcase or a bold shade like hot pink,” the article suggests.
If pink isn’t your style, you can still choose from plenty of bright, eye-catching colors that will make your bag instantly recognizable — without interfering with security scans.
Or, if you’d rather keep your current luggage, consider adding a distinctive fabric patch or subtle sticker for identification that won’t cause scanning issues.
With these simple tips from a Dublin Airport baggage expert, travelers around the world can reduce stress — and increase the odds that their luggage will arrive safely where it’s supposed to.
What about you — do you have any clever travel tips to help others avoid airport mishaps? Share your thoughts and pass this story along so we can all learn from each other’s experiences!
