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John, a seasoned baggage handler at Dublin Airport, says these widely used strategies can backfire.
In fact, with their help, your worst travel nightmare can come true.
Forget the knot
According to John, who spoke to RSVP Live, attaching unique ribbons to your luggage can lead to delays, which can cause your belongings to miss your flight.
When inspecting bags at baggage claim, “the ribbons that travelers attach to their suitcases for easy identification can cause complications,” John told the news source. “If a bag can’t be scanned automatically, it will be processed manually, which increases the possibility that your bag will not be allowed to board the flight.”
If you want to increase the likelihood that your bag will arrive at your destination on time, try checking it without the following identifiers: ribbons and old travel stickers.
“Remove any old stickers from your luggage, as they could disrupt the scanning process,” advises John.
Another potential baggage hazard is the delicious almond-flavoured marzipan. John explains that carrying marzipan can make you a target for airport security.
“Marzipan should never be carried in a suitcase. The Dublin baggage expert warned that as it has the same density as some bombs, your suitcase could be searched and you could be asked to leave the plane.
As a final precaution, spin the wheels of your luggage before handing it over to handlers like John on the conveyor belt.
Say goodbye to regular luggage
Modern luggage has come a long way since the days of black, brown or blue bags.
Black is “one of the most versatile colours, if not the most versatile, which is why it is so popular,” according to Travel & Leisure.
“So if you want your luggage to stand out at baggage claim, it’s worth choosing a different shade,” the source says. Consider a brightly colored or patterned piece, like a hot pink.
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