For years, travel influencers and well-meaning friends have advised travelers to tie colorful ribbons, scarves, or personalized luggage tags to their suitcases to make them stand out at the baggage carousel. However, aviation insiders have revealed that this popular “hack” is actually a major cause of lost and delayed luggage.
Here is exactly why passengers are being warned to ditch the ribbons and what to do instead to spot your bag quickly.
Why Ribbons and Bows Are a Problem
1. They Jam the Conveyor Belt System
This is the primary warning from baggage handlers. When you check a bag, it does not ride a simple straight conveyor belt to the plane. It travels through a massive, automated maze of conveyor belts, chutes, and sorting machines. If a dangling ribbon, a fluffy pom-pom, or a long strap gets caught in the moving parts of the machinery, it can cause a jam. When a jam happens, your bag (and hundreds of others) can be ripped, trapped, or manually pulled off the line. If it doesn’t make it to the plane on time, it misses your flight.
2. It Confuses the Automated Scanners
Modern airports use high-tech optical scanners and barcode readers to sort bags automatically. A large, brightly colored ribbon or a dangling decorative item can physically block the printed barcode tag that the airline put on your handle. If the scanner can’t read the barcode because a ribbon is flapping over it, the system rejects the bag, and it is kicked off to “manual sorting”—which causes delays.
3. It Can Rip the Handle Off
If a ribbon gets caught in a conveyor belt or a luggage cart, it can yank the suitcase with severe force, snapping the telescopic handle or tearing the zipper.
4. It Gets Caught on Other Bags
In the cargo hold, bags are packed tightly together like puzzle pieces. Loose ribbons and straps easily loop around handles or wheels of other suitcases. When the baggage handlers go to unload the plane, they might have to yank bags apart, causing damage to the fabric of your suitcase.
The Problem with Old Stickers and Tags
Baggage handlers have issued the same warning about old airline barcode stickers stuck to the side of your suitcase. If you have an old flight tag from a previous trip, the automated scanners might accidentally read the old barcode instead of the new one. This can send your suitcase to the wrong city or the lost-and-found office.
What to Do Instead (How to Spot Your Bag Safely)
You still want to identify your bag quickly to prevent someone else from accidentally grabbing it. Here is what aviation experts recommend instead of ribbons:
1. Buy a Distinctly Colored Suitcase
Instead of buying a standard black or navy suitcase (which 90% of travelers have), look for a suitcase in a unique, solid color like bright orange, lime green, or a bold floral pattern. The suitcase itself is the identifier, so nothing needs to dangle off it.
2. Use Distinctive Built-In Luggage Tags
Opt for a flat, flexible silicone or leather luggage tag that wraps tightly around the handle and cannot flap around. Make sure it does not block the check-in barcode.
3. Put the Identification on the Inside
Put a brightly colored piece of paper or a large, colorful scarf inside the bag, draped right on top of your clothes. When a TSA agent or baggage handler opens the bag, or if you need to describe it to lost-and-found, that bright color is instantly recognizable.
4. Add a Colored Luggage Strap (With Caution)
If you must put something on the outside, use a tight-fitting, adjustable luggage strap that buckles flush around the entire suitcase. However, even these should be avoided if they have loose hanging ends.
The Bottom Line: If you have a ribbon tied to your suitcase handle, do yourself a favor and take it off before your next flight. Rely on the suitcase’s own color or a tight, flat ID tag to find your bag. It will save you a massive headache at the lost luggage counter!