Travelers around the world share a familiar moment of anxiety as they stand at the baggage carousel, watching an endless parade of nearly identical suitcases emerge from the conveyor belt. In this sea of dark-colored luggage, many people resort to the same solution: tying a bright ribbon around the handle to make their bag stand out. It feels harmless, even clever—a simple way to avoid confusion and save time. Yet according to John, a veteran baggage handler at Dublin Airport, this small and seemingly practical habit can trigger far more trouble than passengers realize. John has spent years in the hectic environment behind the scenes, where thousands of bags move through automated systems every day. From his vantage point, he has observed a consistent and often surprising pattern: bags decorated with ribbons or dangling accessories frequently become the source of delays, scanning errors, and misplaced luggage. What travelers view as a harmless personal touch can, in practice, interfere with the complex and sensitive operation of modern airport baggage systems.

The backbone of airport baggage handling is automation. Conveyors, scanners, and routing machines work in constant motion to sort luggage efficiently and send it to the correct aircraft. Each checked bag carries a barcode or RFID tag that identifies it as it travels through the system. When these tags cannot be scanned clearly, the entire process slows down. John explains that ribbons, strings, small toys, and other dangling items can cover or obstruct the barcode, or even cause the bag to shift in a way that prevents the scanner from reading it. Sometimes the accessory becomes tangled in machinery, forcing staff to pause operations to free it. When an automated scanner fails to register a bag, workers must intervene manually, removing the bag from the automated line and inputting its details by hand. This slows down the baggage flow and increases the chances of human error. John has seen luggage sent to the wrong aircraft or delayed for hours simply because a decorative ribbon hid the barcode at the wrong moment. Passengers, unaware of the behind-the-scenes complications, often assume the airport mishandled their bags for no good reason, never realizing that their own attempt to personalize their suitcase played a role.

Beyond ribbons and decorations, John points out that loose attachments of any kind pose risks. Keychains, straps, charms, or even stickers with reflective or metallic components can confuse scanning systems. Airports operate under strict security protocols, with every piece of luggage required to pass through several layers of inspection. The equipment used in these inspections is designed to detect irregularities, blockages, or anything that might obscure a bag’s identifying information. Even small items can interrupt this process. Something as innocent as a decorative chain can swing into the path of a scanner at the wrong moment, while a shiny sticker can reflect infrared light in a way that prevents the machine from correctly reading the tag. For airport staff, these complications add unnecessary work at a time when precision and efficiency are essential. For travelers, the consequences can range from moderate delays to full-blown travel disruptions. John recalls numerous cases where passengers arrived at their destination while their luggage remained behind because the bag’s decorations interfered with the scanning sequence.

In addition to advising passengers against attaching loose decorative items, John shares a lesser-known warning that often surprises travelers: certain foods packed in checked luggage can set off alarms during security screening. Marzipan—known for its dense, almond-based texture—can appear on some security systems as a substance with a density similar to explosive materials. Machines that analyze density and composition may flag it for further inspection. While the vast majority of flagged bags turn out to contain nothing more than sweets, security teams must follow strict procedures every time an anomaly appears. This means removing the bag from circulation, opening it, and manually examining its contents. The entire process can take time, especially during busy travel periods. John notes that marzipan is not the only culprit. Blocks of fudge, nougat, dense chocolates, and certain hard cheeses can trigger similar alerts. This often catches travelers off guard, especially those returning from vacations with edible souvenirs. While none of these foods are prohibited, they can unintentionally complicate travel, leading to delays or extra questioning. John’s advice is simple: if you must travel with dense sweets, keep them in your carry-on where security officers can inspect them quickly, or ship them separately to avoid baggage complications.

For passengers who still want a clear way to identify their luggage quickly, John offers practical and scanner-friendly alternatives. Choosing a suitcase in a bright, distinctive color is one of the simplest solutions. A vivid red, a patterned design, or even a neon hue stands out on the conveyor belt without interfering with any scanning equipment. For those who already own a traditional black or navy suitcase, personalization can still be achieved safely. John suggests using stickers, patches, or fabric paint applied securely to the surface of the bag—items that do not dangle, shift position, or cover the barcode. Even colored tape placed in a unique pattern can make a suitcase instantly recognizable. Another safe and effective method is to use a luggage tag with contact information placed securely inside a transparent sleeve. Unlike ribbons or accessories that hang loosely, a fixed tag stays in place and provides essential identification details without obstructing scanners. These simple steps allow travelers to maintain both personalization and efficiency, avoiding the pitfalls that come with dangling decorations.

John also emphasizes broader tips that contribute to smoother baggage handling and reduce stress for both passengers and airport staff. One of his key recommendations is to weigh bags before arriving at the airport. Overweight luggage often requires last-minute repacking or additional fees, which can delay passengers and cause them to miss important deadlines at check-in. Another common issue occurs when travelers overload external pockets with small items that can fall out or create hazards during baggage handling. He advises packing fragile items in carry-ons whenever possible, since checked luggage undergoes significant movement through conveyors, chutes, and transport vehicles. Zippers should be fully secured, and straps or handles that cannot be tightened should be tucked away or removed. Even carry-on bags benefit from simplicity; items dangling from backpacks or rolling bags can catch on security bins or scanners, causing minor disruptions that add up during busy travel times. These small adjustments may seem insignificant, but John stresses that they contribute meaningfully to a smooth travel experience.

Ultimately, John’s insights reveal that the airport environment is far more intricate than passengers often realize. What seems like a harmless decoration or a minor packing choice can interfere with sophisticated automated systems designed to keep millions of travelers moving efficiently and safely. Ribbons, charms, dense foods, and loose attachments might all appear trivial from the traveler’s perspective, yet they can set off a chain reaction of delays behind the scenes. By choosing brighter suitcases, using secure tags, avoiding dense foods in checked luggage, and taking a few moments to prepare bags thoughtfully, travelers can prevent many avoidable complications. John’s message is clear: small habits make a large difference. A little foresight transforms a stressful airport experience into a smooth and predictable one, ensuring that luggage arrives on time and travel remains as enjoyable as possible.