Ribbons and locks: Common luggage habits may backfire

Many people worry about their luggage before flying. That's why they decide to mark their baggage so they can locate it more easily upon arrival. However, they may not realize that this might not be such a good idea.

One popular way to distinguish a suitcase is to add a colorful ribbon—most often red. Passengers also attach various tags or leave old stickers from previous trips. According to airport staff, this can have the opposite effect and prevent the luggage from reaching its intended destination. Why?

Ribbons that people attach to suitcases to help identify them can cause scanning issues in the baggage hall. If the luggage cannot be scanned automatically, it may be sent for manual handling, which could mean that your suitcase won't reach the airplane on time. Furthermore, it's advisable to remove old stickers from the bag, as they could confuse the scanning process, explains a baggage handler at an Irish airport to RSVP Live.

Everyone knows not to pack liquids or potentially dangerous items in carry-on luggage, but it's also important not to pack marzipan in any luggage. As airport employees reveal, its consistency can be mistaken for explosives. As a result, both the passenger and their bag may be identified and removed from the plane.

Putting a lock on a suitcase zipper can also attract thieves. Such a marker may indicate that something valuable is inside the luggage. It's better not to tempt fate.

Source: The Mirror