Baggage handler warns passengers not to tie ribbons on suitcases

Baggage handler warns passengers not to tie ribbons on suitcases

A baggage handler has issued a warning to passengers who tie ribbons onto their suitcases to help identify them.

The advice coincides with the annual summer travel rush, which is predicted to be one of the biggest ever this year.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has already said it is gearing up for one of its most hectic seasons yet.

And with an influx of passengers, comes increased anxiety about potentially losing belongings.

So for many people, tying a piece of ribbon or string is a low cost way of helping to locate luggage in the baggage hall.

But according to one baggage handler named John based in Dublin Airport, the simple hack could result in huge delays.

'Ribbons that people tie onto their suitcases to help identify them can cause issues with the bag being scanned in the baggage hall,' he told RSVP Live.

'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.'

He also recommended removing stickers which also have the potential to confuse scanners.

Avoiding packing certain items will also help you breeze through the airport, according to John.

'Don’t ever pack Marzipan in your luggage,' he said of the almond candy dough.

'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.'

He advised putting suitcase wheels up prior to bag drop to minimize the potential for damage.

However, airlines should reimburse passengers for any damage to bags, according to the Department of Transport.

The summer travel season got off to a busy start this Memorial Day Weekend, when a record three million people passed through TSA checkpoints on the Friday alone.