Airline worker reveals the kind of suitcase most likely to get lost
An airline worker has warned passengers of the type of suitcases he believes are "more likely" to get lost.
The airport maintenance worker, who is based in the US, shared in a Reddit thread some advice to travellers to avoid losing their luggage during a holiday.
The worker pointed out that one airline alone can have "3,000 to 5,000" bags per hour passing through the airport at peak flight times, and one simple design choice can make a huge difference on where your luggage ends up.
While he suggests a hard shell suitcase as the best choice for luggage to protect your belongings, the worker warns the colour or pattern of your bag could be a cause for it to be lost.
"Mirrored colours and paint schemes with a metallic flake act like reflectors and send the beam back to the sensor. Basically turning the bag invisible," he wrote.
"Once that happens, it can't be diverted to its assigned location to be loaded on the plane it belongs on.”
"We only see it when it passes through the tag scanners again, but with the sheer volume of bags, it gets hard to catch them."
The worker also warned against using coloured ribbons, ropes or scarves, as well as decorative bag covers, to identify your luggage, as they can cause widespread delays.
"While helpful to identify your bag, it can get caught downstairs and can delay bags," he wrote, adding he once had to cut a bungee cord off a bag that had gotten caught in a roller and affecting operation.
"Do what you feel is best to help identify your bag, but just be warned some items can help cause delays."
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