If you’ve ever spent time at an airport, anxiously scanning the baggage carousel for your suitcase, you understand the stress of seeing hundreds of nearly identical bags passing by. Many travelers have discovered that attaching a ribbon to their luggage can make it stand out. However, an airport worker warns that using personal markers might come with unintended baggage.

The fear of losing luggage is a common concern among travelers. To avoid this, some attach colorful ribbons to their suitcases, ensuring they stand out from the rest. However, according to John, a baggage handler at Dublin Airport, this popular trick may do more harm than good.

John revealed to RSVP Live that tying ribbons on your luggage can cause delays, potentially causing your bag to miss the flight. He explained, “Ribbons that 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.”

Instead, John advises removing old travel stickers and avoiding additional identifiers like ribbons. “Take old stickers off the bag, it can cause confusion with the scanning process,” he suggested.

Another surprising item that can cause problems is marzipan, the sugary almond treat. John warns that packing marzipan in your luggage could lead to a security flag. “Don’t ever pack marzipan in your luggage. 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 explained.

Additionally, to prevent damage, John advises placing your luggage wheels side up before sending it down the conveyor belt to the handlers.

Travelers no longer need to settle for basic black, brown, or navy baggage. According to Travel & Leisure, black baggage is popular due to its versatility, but opting for a different hue can help your luggage stand out at baggage claim. They suggest considering patterned suitcases or bold colors like hot pink. If you prefer not to part with your current luggage, using fabric paint or stickers to add identifying features that won’t interfere with scanning is a great alternative.

John’s tips should help relieve some stress for travelers worldwide, ensuring their luggage arrives safely and on time.

What tips do you have for avoiding airport mishaps? Share your thoughts and this story to hear from others!