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Topics: Travel, Life, Life Hacks
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Madison Burgess
An airport worker has warned holidaymakers against using a ribbon to identify their luggage as it could backfire and actually mean you have to wait for longer.
We all know that feeling of just wanting to get going on your holiday, but having to hang around in baggage claim and hope your suitcase is the next one to come through on the carousel.
To make it easier to spot luggage, a popular tactic that most of us will have tried at some point is to put something identifiable on our bags - I know I’ve done this before.
The most common choice is usually a ribbon or piece of string tied around the suitcase.
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However, while it can be helpful to you on the receiving end of the luggage, it’s been revealed that it can actually cause issues behind the scenes.
John, a baggage handler and airport worker at Dublin Airport, told RSVP Live that using this method could even stop the suitcase from getting on the flight altogether - every traveller’s worst nightmare.
The worker explained: “Ribbons people tie onto their suitcases to help identify them can cause issues with the bag being scanned in the baggage hall.
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“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.”
And it’s not just ribbons - stickers, another popular way to decorate your case, can also cause problems with the process.
The airport worker advised: “Take old stickers off the bag, it can cause confusion with the scanning process.”
While we’re here, it’s worth sharing some more of John’s top tips - and one of them may surprise you.
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He claimed that placing your suitcase on the conveyor belt with wheels up will cause less damage - noted.
The baggage handler also surprisingly warned travellers to ‘never’ pack marzipan in their luggage, so sorry to all the bakers out there.
He said: “It has the same density as some explosives so your bag will be removed and you’ll be called from the plane for a bag search.”
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If you were planning on taking the sweet treat with you abroad, it’s worth grabbing it straight from the airport to save the drama.
It comes after travellers have been warned against taking certain medicines on holiday, including some strong painkillers.
You could get a fine or go to prison if you travel with medicine that’s illegal in another country.
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Make sure to check that your pills are compliant with the UK’s Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and are not controlled drugs.
If you do need to leave the country with medicine that contains a controlled drug, you will have to secure a letter from your doctor to prove its intended use.
It’s also worth double-checking the rules of the country you’re visiting, as it may have different regulations about what you can and can’t bring.