If you’ve ever stood anxiously by the baggage carousel, scanning for your suitcase among dozens of similar ones, you’re not alone. Many travelers use colorful ribbons, tags, or other identifiers to make their bags stand out. However, a baggage handler from Dublin Airport warns that this common practice might not be the best idea. This is why you should never tie a ribbon on your luggage.

John, a seasoned baggage handler, explains that tying ribbons to your luggage can lead to unexpected complications. “Ribbons that people tie onto their suitcases to help identify them can cause issues with the bag being scanned in the baggage hall,” he says. Automated baggage systems are designed to process bags smoothly, but ribbons can interfere with the scanners. If your bag can’t be scanned properly, it may need manual processing, causing delays or, worse, missing your flight. It’s one of the key reasons why you should never tie a ribbon on luggage.