Many travelers tie colorful ribbons or strings to their suitcases to quickly spot them on crowded airport carousels.

While this may seem like a smart trick, a seasoned baggage handler from Dublin

Airport is urging people to think twice.

John, who has years of experience handling luggage at one of Europe’s busiest airports,

explained that these decorations often become unexpected hazards.

“We understand why people do it,” he said,

“but those ribbons can get caught in conveyor belts or baggage machines, leading to delays or even damaging the luggage.”

What seems like a simple hack could actually be disrupting the entire baggage handling process…

When these ribbons or other add-ons get tangled in the system,

they can bring operations to a halt and require manual intervention—

slowing down the process and increasing the risk of bags being mishandled.

John also noted that ribbons aren’t always reliable

for identification, as they can fall off or look similar to someone else’s, sometimes leading travelers to grab the wrong bag.

Instead, he suggests using luggage tags with contact information,

buying a uniquely colored suitcase,

or applying permanent stickers that won’t interfere with airport machinery.

And if you really must use a ribbon?

Keep it short and secure.

As airports grow busier,

taking small steps like this can help ensure smoother and safer travels for everyone.