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Flight attendant reveals one thing you should always pack in your suitcase

Flight attendant reveals one thing you should always pack in your suitcase

No, it's not a bottle of factor 50

A former flight attendant has revealed the must have item for your suitcase.

Everyone knows that packing is up there with one of the most stressful things in life.

Nobody enjoys doing it and, no matter what, we always manage to forget something.

Luckily we live in the era of social media and we have no shortage of stellar advice from flight attendants and airport staff.

Whether we're grabbing nifty tips and tricks from TikTok or scouring Reddit forums for nuggets of information that'll make our lives so much easier - we're never let down.

I mean, ever since I found out that tying bits of ribbon around suitcases is a total no-go, I've been addicted to learning everything I can.

In case you missed it, it turns out that it can actually stop your bag making it onto your flight - cue stressful days of trying to track down lost baggage.

John, a baggage handler at Dublin Airport, told RSVP Live: "Ribbons that 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."

I won't be forgetting that one in a hurry.

And now, the pearls of wisdom continue with a helpful ex-flight attendant sharing what you should always put in your suitcase.

There are a lot of handy luggage tips out there. (Getty Stock Image)
There are a lot of handy luggage tips out there. (Getty Stock Image)

It turns out it's your contact information.

Even though we're living in a digital age, it's imperative to put pen to paper for this one.

The anonymous person took to Reddit to advise: "Put your contact information into every single bag you are checking, in every exterior pocket as well as interior.

"Bags can get torn to bits in the machines that move the bags, the conveyor belts can tip them to the ground, and more. Better they have a way to contact you."

It makes so much sense.



And there was more...



  • Pack fragile items in the centre of your suitcase - if your bag is loaded standing or laying down in the cargo hold, your fragile items are more likely to be protected.
  • Get a proper suitcase lock - not everyone at the airline is honest.
  • Get a suitcase cover - this makes identifying your bag easier (and solves the ribbon problem!)
  • Take photos of valuables, such as electronics and similar even if you are carrying the bag onto the plane as well as pictures of your suitcase - you'll need that info if your bag is lost.
  • Attach an address label to your bag - if someone else grabs it and thinks it's theirs, the problem is easily solved.
  • Remove stickers from past destinations from your bag - this makes the luggage handler's job easier and means it will end up in the right location.
  • Check your wheels, zippers and handles - if something goes wrong once you've handed your bag over, it could end badly.
  • Always keep your medication with you, not in your checked baggage -flights get delayed, bags get lost and it's best to have it to hand.

You should probably write all of those down!

Featured Image Credit: FreshSplash/Xavier Lorenzo/Getty Images

Topics: Life Hacks, Reddit, Travel, Holiday