If you’ve ever stood at a crowded baggage carousel, you know the sinking feeling of scanning dozens of black suitcases that all look alike. To make life easier, many travelers tie on a bright ribbon, scarf, or even a piece of fabric so their bag instantly stands out. It feels clever and harmless like a simple hack to avoid confusion.
But baggage handlers at major airports warn that this trick can backfire in a big way. What seems like a shortcut for travelers can actually interfere with the highly automated system airlines use to sort and transport luggage. Instead of making your bag easier to claim, a ribbon could cause it to be delayed, rerouted, or even lost along the way.
When I first learned this, I was surprised. It’s such a common habit, and I’d seen so many people swear by it. So I looked into why airport staff advise against it, what the risks actually are, and which alternatives work better if you still want your suitcase to stand out without risking a mishap.
The Problem With Ribbons and Fabric Tags
Every checked bag is tracked through a barcode sticker that’s printed when you check in. This code acts like the bag’s passport: it tells the conveyor belts and scanners exactly where to send it, whether that’s onto your flight, into a connecting terminal, or out to the baggage claim at your final destination.
When you add a ribbon or scarf to your luggage handle, there’s a chance it will drape across that sticker. Even partially covering the barcode is enough to throw the system off. Automated scanners are built for speed and precision, but if they can’t get a clear read, your bag gets pulled out of the system for manual handling. That’s when human error creeps in someone has to recheck, retag, or even redirect your suitcase, which takes more time and increases the odds of a mistake.
Baggage handlers have shared countless stories of bags missing flights or ending up on the wrong carousel simply because of a small obstruction. In busy airports where thousands of bags move every hour, even minor slowdowns can snowball into major delays.
It’s not just ribbons, either. Old airline stickers and leftover tags are just as risky. If a scanner picks up an outdated code from a previous trip, it might think your bag belongs somewhere else entirely sometimes even routing it toward the city printed on the old tag. Imagine flying to Rome while your bag heads toward last year’s trip to New York.
That’s why the simple habit of keeping luggage tags clear and removing any old stickers before each flight is one of the best ways to protect your belongings from going astray.
What Baggage Handlers Recommend Instead
After chatting with airline staff and frequent flyers, I realized there are plenty of ways to make your suitcase stand out without risking the barcode mishap. Here’s what works better:
- Use luggage straps: A brightly colored strap tightened around your case is one of the safest ways to spot your bag. Straps don’t interfere with tags since they wrap securely around the middle. They also add extra protection in case a zipper pops open mid-journey. On my last trip, I used a neon orange strap and spotted my bag instantly on the carousel.
- Try handle covers or grip sleeves: These slip directly over the top handle and come in bold colors or patterns. They’re small, secure, and stay in place without dangling into the barcode area. I picked up a tropical print one in Honolulu, and it’s been a great conversation starter with fellow travelers.
- Opt for a distinctive suitcase: If you’re buying new luggage, consider colors beyond standard black or navy. A bright teal, patterned, or even matte white suitcase is much easier to spot. Sure, scuffs happen, but a slightly marked colorful bag is still easier to find than a pristine black one.
- Peel off old tags: Make it a habit to check every side of your luggage before check-in. Old flight barcodes can confuse the system just as much as a ribbon. I now carry a small roll of masking tape in my bag to help peel off stubborn stickers quickly.
- Add an ID sheet inside: In case the worst happens and your external tag tears off, having a simple sheet of paper inside with your name, phone number, and email gives baggage staff a fallback. Some travelers even tuck a copy of their flight itinerary inside.
- Place your bag wheels-up on the belt: Handlers often recommend this because the wheels are less likely to snag or break when they aren’t bearing the brunt of conveyor belt friction. It’s a tiny adjustment that can save you from dealing with cracked wheels on arrival.
All of these alternatives keep your bag identifiable without interfering with the barcode that gets it safely to your destination.
The Marzipan Surprise
One of the stranger tips I came across from airport staff was about marzipan. Yes, marzipan the almond paste candy that’s popular in holiday treats. It turns out that marzipan shows up on airport scanners with a density that closely resembles certain explosives.
When a scanner flags something suspicious, your bag gets pulled aside for manual inspection. While this doesn’t mean you can’t pack marzipan, it does mean you’ll almost certainly be delayed if you do. Security officers will need to open your bag, swab the contents, and clear it before it can move on.
I once saw a family at Frankfurt Airport being pulled aside for a long bag check all because they had tucked in a box of marzipan souvenirs. It wasn’t dangerous, of course, but it slowed them down enough that they were sprinting to their gate afterwards.
The lesson? Think carefully about what foods you pack in your checked bag. Dense or unusual items may look suspicious on a scanner. If you’re traveling with treats, pack them in your carry-on so you can explain them quickly to security officers, or better yet, ship them home.
Conclusion
I used to think a ribbon was a harmless way to make my luggage stand out, but hearing directly from baggage handlers completely changed my approach. Those small add-ons can cause big problems for automated systems, leading to delays and even lost bags.
Now I stick to safer options: a bold luggage strap, a handle cover, or simply choosing a colorful suitcase. I also make sure to remove old tags and keep a copy of my details inside my bag. It’s a small effort that gives me peace of mind when I fly.
The next time you’re packing for a trip, skip the ribbon. Your suitcase and your stress levels will thank you.
