Use a distinctive, durable luggage tag with a protected address (use your work address if possible).
Choose a suitcase in a bold, uncommon color.
Apply durable, vinyl stickers or decals directly to the hard shell of your suitcase. These lie flat and won’t snag.
Use a patterned or brightly colored suitcase strap that is designed to be tight and secure around the entire circumference of the bag, not just dangling from the handle.
Take a photo of your bag before you check it, including any unique scratches or marks.
DON'T:
Tie anything loose, dangling, or flowing to the handles or straps.
Leave old, frayed airline tags on the handle; they can also snag.
The Bottom Line: A Lesson in Airport Mechanics
That ribbon is a solution to a passenger problem (identification) that creates a dozen bigger problems for the complex, automated system designed to move thousands of bags an hour safely and securely. By choosing a flat or secured identifier, you’re not just making your bag easier to find—you’re helping ensure it actually arrives on your flight, intact and unopened.
“We want your bag to get there as much as you do,” the handler concludes. “Help us help you. Ditch the dangly ribbon.”
