We’ve all been there: exhausted after a long flight, squinting at a monotonous parade of black suitcases on the carousel, desperately searching for that one identifying mark. For years, the classic traveler’s hack has been to tie a bright ribbon or a distinctive scarf to the handle. It’s a simple, cheap way to spot your bag in a sea of sameness. But according to an insider, that clever trick might be the very reason your luggage doesn’t meet you at your destination.

John, a luggage handler at Dublin Airport, recently shared a sobering reality. Those colorful ribbons and bows you lovingly tie on can get caught in the automated conveyor systems and, more critically, obscure the bag’s barcode label during scanning.

“If the bag can’t be scanned automatically, it ends up in manual processing,” John explains. In the high-speed, high-volume environment of a baggage hall, that manual detour can mean your bag misses its flight entirely. Suddenly, the effort to make your bag stand out makes it disappear altogether.

So, how do you make your bag unique without sabotaging its journey? John and other travel experts suggest safer alternatives:

• Invest in Distinctive Luggage: A brightly colored suitcase or one with a unique pattern is instantly recognizable from afar.

• Use Permanent Markers: A bold, unique design or your initials in fabric paint won’t interfere with handles or labels.

• Opt for Sturdy ID Tags: A large, colorful, and durable tag on the handle is less likely to cause scanning issues than loose fabric.

• Remove Old Flight Tags: This is John’s other key tip. Leftover sticky tags from previous trips can confuse scanners, potentially sending your luggage on an unplanned vacation of its own.

Beyond the Ribbon: More Pro-Tips from the Tarmac

John’s advice doesn’t stop at identification. He offers a few more counterintuitive gems for protecting your belongings:

1. Wheels Up: When placing your bag on the scale or the drop-off belt, set it wheels facing up. The wheels and their housings are the most vulnerable parts and placing them upward minimizes the risk of damage during the initial handling.

2. The Marzipan Warning: An unusual but critical note: due to its density, marzipan can register like certain explosives on baggage scanners. Packing it in your checked luggage could lead to your bag being pulled for a mandatory search, causing delays or even removal from the flight.

Packing Smarter, Not Harder

Once your bag is distinctively marked and scanner-friendly, packing it right is the next hurdle. Seasoned travelers swear by organization to avoid overpacking and excess fees.

• The Roll-Up: Instead of folding, roll your clothes. This method minimizes wrinkles, saves a surprising amount of space, and lets you see every item at a glance.

• Bag Within a Bag: Always pack a few empty lightweight bags (like a tote or reusable grocery bag). They’re perfect for isolating shoes, storing laundry, or keeping a wet swimsuit from soaking everything else.

• Soft-Sided for Overhead: While hard-shell suitcases are great for checked bags, a soft-sided carry-on is more forgiving. You can “shape” it to squeeze into a tight overhead bin, a trick a rigid case can’t manage.

In the end, the goal is a seamless journey for both you and your luggage. By swapping that fluttering ribbon for a more secure identifier and packing with a handler’s insights in mind, you can spend less time worrying at the carousel and more time enjoying the ride. Sometimes, the best travel hack is knowing the rules of the road—or in this case, the runway.