That headline is another clickbait-style “airport warning”, and it’s partly based on a real but often exaggerated issue.
What the “warning” is usually about
Some baggage handlers say ribbons or decorations on suitcases can sometimes:
- Confuse automated baggage scanners
- Cause bags to be manually inspected more often
- Slightly increase the chance of delays or misrouting (rare, but possible in older systems)
Modern airport systems are highly automated, so this is not a major problem at most airports.
The real reason people tie ribbons
Travelers usually do it to:
- Spot their luggage quickly on the carousel
- Avoid grabbing the wrong black suitcase
Better alternatives (recommended by airports)
If you want to identify your bag safely:
- Use a bright-colored suitcase
- Add a tag with your name/phone
- Put a distinctive strap or sticker (less loose than ribbons)
- Take a photo of your bag before check-in
Bottom line
Tying a ribbon is not dangerous or banned, and it won’t “ruin your luggage experience.” At worst, it might slightly reduce scanning efficiency in some systems—but that’s uncommon.
If you want, I can also tell you which airport luggage habits actually cause delays (there are a few surprising ones).
