Real reason why you should never tie a ribbon to suitcase
A baggage handler has revealed why passengers should avoid tying ribbons to their suitcase before jetting off on holiday.
Many travellers opt for adding distinctive markers, such as ribbons or stickers, to their luggage to make it more easily identifiable on the baggage carousel. According to an airport worker, this tactic may backfire, potentially preventing the suitcase from being loaded onto the flight altogether.
In an interview with RSVP Live, the worker explained: "Ribbons people tie onto their suitcases to help identify them can cause issues with the bag being scanned in the baggage hall. 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. Take old stickers off the bag, it can cause confusion with the scanning process."
He added people should never pack marzipan as it can have the same density as explosives. As a result, both the bag - and the bag's owner - are hauled off the flight.
It comes after an expert warned travellers about turning airplane mode off during a flight.
Whilst many airlines offer purchasable Wi-Fi, passengers still cannot use cellular service on planes. This means travellers cannot call people at 35,000 feet or even do some doom-scrolling, unless they purchase Wi-Fi. Experts have also now warned why taking your phone off airplane mode may be risky.
Any interference could "potentially lead to missing critical information like traffic alerts, runway assignments, or changes to the route. Any misunderstanding of these transmissions could lead to dangerous situations very quickly," commented Bobby Dutton, a commercial pilot, flight instructor, and engineer who runs the website Think Like a Pilot.
Whilst most aircraft today are built to limit the risk of interference, Sigurdsson explained it could still happen and the risk is especially important "during critical phases of flight such as take-off and landing". He added that: "Aviation safety is based on layers of protection, and restricting cellular signals in flight is one of them."
Dutton also explained that aviation is about making good choices "before you get in trouble" and if there is an chance that cellular service could cause an issue, airlines should be proactive in eliminating the threat. Banning cellular activity in the skies means airlines are being proactive to best enhance safety provisions.
Sigurdsson concluded that while "a single phone may not cause a major issue, multiple active devices transmitting signals inside the cabin" can create a bigger safety risk. If airlines did allow passengers to use cellular service on planes, most passengers would be likely to use their phone and therefore the risk would be increased.
Another reason why passengers cannot use cellular service on planes is due to airlines wanting to minimise distractions during take off and landing, Sigurdsson commented. "The crew needs passengers' full attention," he said. "Using personal devices can delay responses in case of an emergency".
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The Sun
03-07-2025
- The Sun
Shocking reason you should never tie ribbon on your suitcase to help identify it – it may not even make the flight
FLIGHT experts are warning travelers not to use a popular bag-tracking method, as it may cause more harm than good. Experts are urging flyers not to tie a ribbon around the handles of their suitcases. 1 A baggage handler, who goes by the name John, warned that tying a ribbon on the handle may cause issues with the bag being scanned. '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.' The handler also told flyers to take off old stickers on the bag and place your suitcase wheels up for less damage. As for snacks, John told travelers not to pack marzipan in their bags. 'Don't ever pack Marzipan in your luggage,' he said. '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.' Another flying expert warned passengers about the type of suitcase they choose to check in. Emilie, a flight attendant of 16 years, told retailer House of Fraiser that travelers should never check a hard-covered suitcase. "Passengers tend to think that hard-shell suitcases are more resistant than fabric ones, but it's actually the opposite. Four countries Americans can fly to without needing a passport – and popular vacation choice where no visa is needed "Hardcovers can get easily broken by the pressure of the other bags once they're all packed together in the hold." The flight attendant added, "To avoid damage to your bag, I always recommend choosing a fabric suitcase as these are actually more durable. "Picking one in a bright colour can help you spot your bag more quickly during baggage delivery. Just avoid white as it won't stay that colour for long!" She also recommends going for a two-wheeled suitcase over a four-wheeled one. What to do if you luggage is lost, delayed, or damaged IT is an awful experience when your baggage does not appear on the carousel. However, travelers can take steps to get their bags back. What if baggage is delayed? If your bag doesn't show up at your destination, make sure to speak to the nearest airline representative. Airlines have a system that tracks where bags are and can see whether luggage has ever left an airport. After getting as much information as possible from the representative, passengers can file a claim. Once the bag is located, airlines will either deliver it straight to a flier's door or send it to the nearest airport. What if baggage is lost? Fliers should stay in close contact with airlines throughout the search for their bags. Sometimes, airlines will tell lucky passengers their bags are gone for good. Most airlines will declare a bag lost between five and fourteen days after the flight, but this can vary. Airlines are responsible for compensating travelers for lost bags' contents as long as it doesn't surpass maximum liability limits. Airlines must also reimburse any fees that fliers paid out for a bag to be transported if it was found. What if a bag is damaged? Airlines are also required to pay back customers for bags' contents that were damaged during flight. However, the airline won't take responsibility for items that were destroyed because the luggage was improperly packed. Most airlines also won't reimburse cash, electronics, fragile items, and perishables. Anyone who has a bag damaged during flight should file a claim and discuss whether they can get a refund. "[Four-wheeled suitcases] are never as durable or reliable as a two-wheel spinner and I'd always avoid them." One TikToker, who goes by the username @allycase1, warned travelers to be aware of a common luggage tag faux pas. In the video, the flight attendant shows a luggage tag with contact information written on it. 'Always make sure that your luggage tag has the contact information facing the other side,' she said in the video. 'I see so many people with their luggage tag and their information displayed for everyone to see. 'Their name, their address, their phone number, their email. That is way too much information for just anyone to have.' She recommends just flipping personal information to the other side so its not out on display. 'In the event that your bag is ever lost, whoever has your bag is going to take out the tag and flip it to the other side.'
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Daily Record
Airport insider shares why having this on your suitcase can delay your travel plans
A baggage handler has shared the reason why you should never use this on your suitcase before jetting off on holiday. The worker also revealed the one item you should never pack A baggage handler has shared a tip that could save holidaymakers from travel problems. They advised against tying ribbons to suitcases before flying. While many passengers use distinctive markers like ribbons or stickers on their luggage to spot it easily on the carousel, an airport worker claims this common practice might actually hinder the bag's journey. Speaking to RSVP Live, the baggage handler said: "Ribbons people tie onto their suitcases to help identify them can cause issues with the bag being scanned in the baggage hall. "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. Take old stickers off the bag, it can cause confusion with the scanning process." Furthermore, the worker warned against packing marzipan, as its density is similar to explosives, potentially leading to both the bag and its owner being removed from the flight. This advice comes amid a warning from experts about the risks of disabling aeroplane mode during flights, reports the Mirror. Despite some airlines offering Wi-Fi for purchase, cellular services are still prohibited on planes, meaning calls and internet browsing without Wi-Fi are not possible. Experts have highlighted the dangers of taking phones off aeroplane mode while airborne. Bobby Dutton, a commercial pilot, flight instructor, and engineer who runs the website Think Like a Pilot, warned that any interference could "potentially lead to missing critical information like traffic alerts, runway assignments, or changes to the route. Any misunderstanding of these transmissions could lead to dangerous situations very quickly". While modern aircraft are designed to minimise the risk of interference, Sigurdsson pointed out that it could still occur, particularly during crucial phases, such as take-off and landing. He emphasised: "Aviation safety is based on layers of protection, and restricting cellular signals in flight is one of them." Dutton added that aviation safety involves making wise decisions "before you get in trouble". If there's even a slight chance that mobile service could pose a problem, airlines should act preemptively to eliminate the threat. This proactive approach to banning mobile activity in-flight helps enhance safety measures. Sigurdsson concluded by saying that while "a single phone may not cause a major issue, multiple active devices transmitting signals inside the cabin" can pose a greater safety risk. If airlines permitted passengers to use mobile services on planes, most would likely use their phones, thereby increasing the risk. Sigurdsson said that airlines aim to reduce distractions during critical phases like takeoff and landing. He pointed out: "The crew needs passengers' full attention," and added, "Using personal devices can delay responses in case of an emergency".
Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Real reason why you should never tie a ribbon to suitcase
Many people choose to tie a brightly coloured ribbon to their suitcases when they check their luggage to make it easier to spot them at their destination airport A baggage handler has revealed why passengers should avoid tying ribbons to their suitcase before jetting off on holiday. Many travellers opt for adding distinctive markers, such as ribbons or stickers, to their luggage to make it more easily identifiable on the baggage carousel. According to an airport worker, this tactic may backfire, potentially preventing the suitcase from being loaded onto the flight altogether. In an interview with RSVP Live, the worker explained: "Ribbons people tie onto their suitcases to help identify them can cause issues with the bag being scanned in the baggage hall. 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. Take old stickers off the bag, it can cause confusion with the scanning process." He added people should never pack marzipan as it can have the same density as explosives. As a result, both the bag - and the bag's owner - are hauled off the flight. It comes after an expert warned travellers about turning airplane mode off during a flight. Whilst many airlines offer purchasable Wi-Fi, passengers still cannot use cellular service on planes. This means travellers cannot call people at 35,000 feet or even do some doom-scrolling, unless they purchase Wi-Fi. Experts have also now warned why taking your phone off airplane mode may be risky. Any interference could "potentially lead to missing critical information like traffic alerts, runway assignments, or changes to the route. Any misunderstanding of these transmissions could lead to dangerous situations very quickly," commented Bobby Dutton, a commercial pilot, flight instructor, and engineer who runs the website Think Like a Pilot. Whilst most aircraft today are built to limit the risk of interference, Sigurdsson explained it could still happen and the risk is especially important "during critical phases of flight such as take-off and landing". He added that: "Aviation safety is based on layers of protection, and restricting cellular signals in flight is one of them." Dutton also explained that aviation is about making good choices "before you get in trouble" and if there is an chance that cellular service could cause an issue, airlines should be proactive in eliminating the threat. Banning cellular activity in the skies means airlines are being proactive to best enhance safety provisions. Sigurdsson concluded that while "a single phone may not cause a major issue, multiple active devices transmitting signals inside the cabin" can create a bigger safety risk. If airlines did allow passengers to use cellular service on planes, most passengers would be likely to use their phone and therefore the risk would be increased. Another reason why passengers cannot use cellular service on planes is due to airlines wanting to minimise distractions during take off and landing, Sigurdsson commented. "The crew needs passengers' full attention," he said. "Using personal devices can delay responses in case of an emergency".
