If you’ve ever anxiously scanned the baggage carousel at the airport, you know the stress of trying to identify your suitcase among a sea of nearly identical black or navy bags. For many travelers, a common solution is to tie a colorful ribbon or strap around the handle to make it stand out. It seems harmless, even practical. However, a Dublin Airport baggage handler, John, warns that this seemingly innocent practice can create serious issues during travel.

John has spent years working behind the scenes at the airport, moving thousands of bags from check-in to planes and back again. Over time, he has noticed a pattern: travelers using ribbons or similar attachments often encounter unexpected problems, sometimes delaying their journey or complicating security checks. “Ribbons that people tie onto their suitcases to help identify them can cause issues with the bag being scanned in the baggage hall,” John explains.

Airports rely heavily on automated systems to track luggage. Each bag is typically assigned a barcode or RFID tag that allows scanners to identify it quickly as it moves through conveyors and sorting systems. When a ribbon, string, or other material is tied onto the bag, it can interfere with the scanner’s ability to read the tag. In some cases, the scanner may fail to detect the bag entirely, requiring manual intervention. This manual processing not only slows down the system but can also increase the likelihood of mistakes, such as the bag being routed to the wrong plane or delayed for hours.

John recounts instances where travelers’ flights were nearly missed because their brightly decorated bags couldn’t be scanned correctly. “It’s frustrating for everyone,” he says.