Travelers Should Reconsider This Common Luggage Trend, According To Baggage Handlers

Baggage often says a lot about the traveler. Whether you exclusively use Rimowa luggage, prefer budget-friendly sets, or follow Rick Steves' advice for choosing the best luggage for international trips, you'll likely want to add your own style to your luggage to match your personality or make it stand out as it spins around the carousel. Many savvy travelers follow the trend of adding a notable personal detail — a handkerchief or a ribbon – to make their bag stand out from the crowd. However, per baggage handlers, these items could make your bag stand out as part of the roughly 5% of bags that are mishandled (per U.S. Department of Transportation statistics), some of which, unfortunately, end up at retailers such as Alabama's Unclaimed Baggage store. 

In 2024, over 494 million bags moved through airports in the United States. Under normal circumstances, your bag goes on a wild journey through the airport, passing through a maze of RFID scanners, sensors, and TSA X-ray machines via miles of conveyor belts before reaching the plane in roughly 30 minutes (maybe faster than you, depending on TSA). However, in an interview with RSVP Live, a baggage handler named John noted that ribbons intended to help travelers can hurt them by making scanning difficult. If the system flags the suitcase due to the electronic baggage tag being covered or blocked by a ribbon or scarf, it may be left behind and put on a later flight. Per a ramp agent, Redditor u/No_Scientist3645 on r/americanairlines, bags are the fourth priority, after safety, security, and an on-time departure. Unfortunately, the plane can't wait for you, or your bag, if you are late.

Statistically, the vast majority of travelers who fly in the United States make the journey with their luggage in tow. However, if you're planning a vacation to South Beach, Disney World, or the underrated, historic city of St. Augustine, you may be more likely to lose your luggage. Per Upgraded Points, six Florida airports are in the top 10 nationally for mishandled bags, with Orlando International taking the distinction of being the worst airport in the U.S. for luggage complaints. Besides avoiding ribbons and scarves, to ensure you don't get separated from your bag (especially with a quick connection), you can also follow a key tip from a baggage handler at Ontario International Airport in California: Double-check your luggage for old baggage stickers and barcodes to not confuse the system and send your bag to the wrong destination.

That being said, you can still add plenty of character to your bag to make it your own. Rather than using a ribbon or handkerchief, add a unique handle cover or bag tag away from the baggage claim label, or go fully incognito with a Bluetooth tracking device. If you are in the minority of travelers whose luggage is lost, delayed, or misplaced, be sure to file a complaint with the airline once you land. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, airlines are responsible for finding and delivering your baggage and providing compensation for incidentals – just be sure to keep any receipts.