Tying a colorful ribbon to your suitcase might seem like a clever way to recognize your luggage at the airport. After all, when dozens of nearly identical black suitcases roll past on the baggage carousel, a bright green ribbon can make yours stand out immediately.
But could this popular travel trick actually cause problems?
Yes, it can in some circumstances. Although ribbons aren’t universally prohibited, attaching loose decorations to your luggage may create practical difficulties during baggage handling. Before your next trip, here’s what you should know.
1. Ribbons Can Get Caught in Baggage-Handling Equipment
Airport baggage systems use conveyor belts, rollers, and automated sorting equipment to move luggage through the terminal. Loose straps, long ribbons, and dangling accessories can sometimes catch on moving parts.
If a ribbon becomes trapped, it could contribute to a delay or require staff to intervene. A small decoration may seem harmless, but anything that protrudes from a suitcase can potentially create an obstruction.
For this reason, it’s best to avoid long, loose ribbons and other dangling accessories.
2. Your Suitcase May Be Harder to Process Automatically
Many airports use automated systems to scan luggage labels and route suitcases to the correct destination.
A ribbon tied around a handle usually won’t prevent a suitcase from being scanned. However, bulky decorations or accessories that cover a barcode, interfere with a label, or obstruct a handle could create unnecessary complications.
Keep your baggage tag clearly visible and make sure nothing covers its barcode.
If your airline provides instructions about how to attach baggage tags, follow them carefully.
3. Ribbons Can Fall Off During the Journey
A ribbon that looks secure when you leave home may loosen while your suitcase is being loaded, transferred, or unloaded.
It might disappear before the bag reaches the carousel, leaving you searching for a familiar green, red, or blue marker that is no longer there.
Ribbons can also become dirty, frayed, or tangled after repeated handling.
If you rely on a ribbon as your only way of identifying your luggage, losing it can make an already stressful arrival even more frustrating.
4. There Are Better Ways to Identify Your Luggage
The good news is that you don’t need to abandon the idea of making your suitcase distinctive. You simply need a more durable and practical solution.
Consider these alternatives:
Choose a distinctive suitcase: A recognizable color or pattern can make your bag easier to spot.
Use a sturdy luggage tag: Choose one that is securely attached and doesn’t hang excessively.
Add a durable identification marker: A small, firmly attached marker can help distinguish your bag without creating a long loose end.
Use a colorful luggage strap: Select one designed for travel and ensure it fits securely around the suitcase without obstructing baggage tags or handles.
Take a photograph: Photograph your suitcase before checking it in. If it goes missing, the image can help airline staff identify it.
You can also place your contact details inside your suitcase in case the external tag becomes detached.
5. Always Check Your Baggage Before Leaving the Airport
When you collect your luggage, check that the suitcase belongs to you before leaving the baggage claim area.
Confirm its color, size, distinctive features, and baggage tag. Similar-looking suitcases can easily be mistaken for one another, especially during busy travel periods.
If your suitcase doesn’t arrive, arrives damaged, or appears to have been exchanged with someone else’s bag, contact the airline’s baggage service desk as soon as possible.
Keep your baggage receipt and photograph handy to make the process easier.
So, Should You Stop Using Ribbons?
Not necessarily.
A short, securely tied ribbon may be perfectly practical, and a ribbon by itself is not automatically a baggage-handling hazard. The main concern is whether it is loose, excessively long, or positioned where it could interfere with equipment or baggage labels.
For frequent travelers, a sturdy luggage tag, a distinctive suitcase, or a properly fitted luggage strap is often a more dependable long-term choice.
The golden rule is simple: make your luggage easy to recognize without attaching anything that could get caught, cover important information, or come loose during handling.
What About You?
Do you tie a colorful ribbon to your suitcase, use a luggage strap, or rely on the suitcase’s color to recognize it?
Share your favorite luggage-identification trick in the comments. Your tip might help another traveler avoid a mix-up on their next trip!
