It seems harmless. A colorful ribbon tied to your suitcase handle so you can spot it faster on the baggage carousel. Millions of travelers do it every year without a second thought. But according to baggage handlers, that simple habit could be the very reason your luggage ends up delayed, damaged, or missing entirely — and most passengers have no idea it’s happening.

Airport baggage systems rely on automated scanners to read luggage tags as bags move at high speed through conveyor belts, chutes, and sorting machines. When ribbons, straps, or loose fabric are tied to handles, they can interfere with those scanners. Handlers say ribbons often get caught in rollers or block the barcode, causing the system to reject the bag. When that happens, your suitcase is pulled off the automated line and sent for manual processing.

That’s where problems start. Manual sorting takes longer, increases the risk of human error, and raises the chance your bag won’t make it onto the same flight as you. In busy airports, manually handled luggage is more likely to be delayed or rerouted. In worst cases, handlers say ribbons can snag on machinery, tearing bags open or breaking handles completely.

Baggage workers also warn that ribbons don’t actually help as much as people think. Many suitcases now look similar, and dozens of bags arrive with ribbons, belts, or tags attached. Instead of standing out, your bag blends in with others doing the exact same thing. Handlers say the safest way to identify your luggage is with a unique suitcase color, a bold pattern, or a large, flat tag placed where it won’t interfere with scanners.

Another issue travelers don’t consider is safety inspections. If your bag is flagged for screening and has extra items tied to it, security may remove them and not reattach them. That ribbon you tied at home could be gone before you ever reach baggage claim, making it useless anyway.

So what should you do instead? Baggage handlers recommend removing old stickers, barcodes, and ribbons before flying, choosing distinctive luggage, and using built-in ID tags or tracking devices placed inside the bag. The goal isn’t decoration — it’s smooth scanning and fast sorting.

That tiny ribbon might feel smart and convenient, but behind the scenes, it can cause more trouble than it’s worth. And for many travelers, learning this too late explains a lot about past “mysterious” luggage delays.