Why You Should Always Remove Those Small Stickers on Your Baggage
November 14, 2023
source: Adobe Stock
Losing baggage is a traveler’s nightmare – a frustrating experience that I, unfortunately, know too well. The stress of wondering whether your suitcase will make it to your destination or end up in some unknown corner of the airport is enough to dampen the excitement of any trip. Little did I know that sometimes, the blame for lost luggage could be placed squarely on our shoulders, or more specifically, on those inconspicuous small baggage stickers.
I’ve experienced the agony of lost luggage before, and it’s an ordeal I’d rather not relive. The anxiety of not knowing if your belongings will find their way back to you can be overwhelming. Recently, a TikTok video caught my attention, shedding light on a seemingly innocuous culprit: the tiny baggage stickers that adorn our suitcases.
These stickers, no larger than a postage stamp, might seem insignificant, but according to the viral TikTok video, they can be the source of your baggage miseries. Curious, I delved into the explanation provided in the video and discovered a hidden truth about these small but crucial tags.
The airport worker in the video revealed that these little baggage stickers play a pivotal role in ensuring our luggage reaches the correct destination. The stickers, often adorned with the airline’s logo and a barcode, contain vital information about your baggage’s destination, linking it to your individual traveler profile and airline ticket. Unbeknownst to many, the barcode on these stickers is like a unique identifier, guiding the luggage through the intricate web of airport logistics.
Here’s the catch: failure to remove these small baggage stickers after your flight can lead to a cascade of problems. If an old sticker remains on your suitcase, there’s a risk that the airport’s scanning system might read the outdated information, causing your luggage to be rerouted incorrectly. The consequence? Your bag could go to the airline’s unclaimed baggage center first before reaching the airport’s lost and found.
Imagine the scenario: you excitedly land at your destination, eager to start your adventure, only to realize that your suitcase has taken a detour to baggage purgatory. All because of a tiny sticker that you forgot to remove.
It’s not just about the inconvenience; these baggage stickers contain critical details about your travel plans. They reveal information such as your airline, flight number, and date of travel. Forgetting to remove an old sticker from your suitcase means giving the airport’s computers outdated information, which could lead to your baggage getting lost in the complexity of airport operations.
As I reflect on my own travel habits, I admit that I was oblivious to the importance of removing these small baggage stickers. Now armed with this newfound knowledge, I make it a point to peel off those stickers as soon as I retrieve my luggage from the carousel. It’s a small action that takes mere seconds but can save you from the headache of lost baggage.
So, the next time you find yourself staring at your suitcase after a flight, take a moment to remove those small baggage stickers. Trust me; it’s a tiny effort that can go a long way in ensuring your belongings reach your destination without unnecessary detours and the stress of wondering if you’ll be reunited with your cherished possessions.