Ever tie a bright ribbon to your suitcase so you could spot it faster on the carousel? My mom swore that it was a great trick to keep our bags safe—and easy to find. But according to veteran airline baggage handlers, that well-meaning tradition could be the reason your bag takes an unexpected detour.

Here’s the problem: those ribbons can jam scanners or block the barcodes that route your luggage through automated systems. When that happens, your bag gets flagged for manual processing—and might miss your flight entirely. The same goes for old flight tags and stickers. If you don’t remove them, the system can misread outdated codes and send your suitcase to the wrong city.

There’s a better way to travel smart. Use a tracking device like an Apple AirTag or Tile for peace of mind.

Pop an extra ID tag into your bag with name and cell phone number, but skip the address.

Choose flexible fabric luggage that can withstand pressure in cargo holds.

Snap a quick photo of your bag inside and out before check-in.

Always update your luggage tag with complete contact info.

Travel is smoother when you plan for the details—because sometimes, it’s the smallest habits that make the biggest difference between “bon voyage” and “baggage claim chaos.”