We’ve all had the idea: attaching a colorful ribbon to our suitcase to make it easier to spot on the airport conveyor belt. Simple, clever, and practical, right? However, this trick could well backfire. According to a Dublin Airport employee, this seemingly harmless practice can actually cause major delays and even risk your suitcase missing its flight.
A hindrance to automated screening
One problem? The ribbon can disrupt the automatic baggage scanning process. These systems are designed to quickly process hundreds of bags per hour.
But when unconventional objects, such as ribbons or bulky stickers, are attached to a suitcase, the scanner can have difficulty reading the necessary information. As a result, your suitcase will have to be manually examined, which significantly lengthens the processing time and increases the risk of delays.
“Every bag that doesn’t pass automated screening is a risk of delay,” explains the baggage handler. “If your bag is left behind, it may not be loaded onto the plane in time.” » So, what was initially supposed to save you time in finding your luggage could instead cause serious inconvenience.