An airport worker has warned against a popular but potentially problematic suitcase identification method. Holidaymakers often attach ribbons to their luggage for easy recognition at the carousel, yet an insider from airport operations has given travel advice that this seemingly smart tip might backfire, leading to travel chaos.
The baggage handler explained: “Ribbons people tie onto their suitcases to help identify them can cause issues with the bag being scanned in the baggage hall. If the bag can’t be scanned automatically it can end up in manual processing, which could mean your bag doesn’t make it to the flight. Take old stickers off the bag, it can cause confusion with the scanning process.”
Additionally, the seasoned worker provided an unexpected piece of packing advice – steer clear of marzipan. It turns out this sweet treat is suspiciously similar in density to explosives, posing the risk of matched luggage and unlucky owners being ejected from their flights. Amid these revealing insights, flyers still face the 100mL liquid limitation at security checkpoints. Despite airports implementing cutting-edge CT scanners capable of detailed inspections.
This hang-up continues even as travellers must navigate stringent rules not only for liquids, but gels, aerosols, various substances, and electronic devices within the aircraft cabin. UK air passengers must follow strict rules regarding what items are allowed in their hand luggage and hold luggage. The Government’s website provides a detailed list of prohibited articles.
In UK airports, the rules for carrying liquids in hand luggage can vary, but generally, you’re restricted by both volume and packaging as dictated by security requirements. The official stance from the government website is: “Airport security staff will not let anything through that they consider dangerous—even if it’s normally allowed in hand luggage.”
Most UK airport security enforces a limit on liquids that you can take through. Containers over 100ml are typically not permitted, even if they aren’t full.
Frozen liquids are also banned in hand luggage; this rule extends to frozen breast milk. However, if travelling with an infant, parents are allowed to carry necessary items such as formula milk/cow’s milk, sterilised water, soya milk, and baby food, but only if the baby is present during the flight.
For those travelling with oversized personal items like large musical instruments, prior communication with the airline is essential. Passengers may be required to arrange additional accommodations, like purchasing an extra seat.
Mobility aids are allowed but must undergo security screening first. However, personal items such as corkscrews, knives (with a sharp or pointed blade and/or blade longer than 6cm), large scissors (with blades longer than 6cm), non-safety matches, fireworks, flares and other pyrotechnics, including party poppers and toy caps and cigarette lights are not permitted in hand luggage.
Travellers can carry essential medicines of more than 100ml, including liquid dietary foodstuffs and inhalers, in their hand luggage. Medical equipment is also allowed if it’s essential for your journey.
However, proof may be required that the medication is prescribed to you (for example, a letter from your doctor or a copy of your prescription) if it’s in liquid form and in a container larger than 100ml.
If you’re taking medicine out of the UK, consult your doctor or pharmacist to determine whether your medicine contains a controlled drug. If it does, verify the rules for the country you’re travelling to with the embassy before you travel.
Again, you will need to prove it’s yours with either a prescription or a letter from your doctor. Airport staff might also need to open the containers to screen the liquids at the security point.
Certain electronic devices and electrical items are only permitted on flights to the UK, with some airlines imposing additional restrictions. Therefore, it’s advised to check with your airline before travelling to understand what is permissible in your hand luggage.
Ensure your electronic devices are charged prior to travel. If your device fails to switch on when requested, you will not be allowed to bring it onto the aircraft.
Items such as heavy bats and sticks (including baseball, softball, and cricket bats), golf clubs, darts, walking/hiking poles, catapults, firearms (including replica firearms), harpoons or spear guns, crossbows, and martial arts equipment (including knuckledusters, clubs, coshes, rice flails, and nunchucks) are not permitted in hand luggage.
Chemicals and toxic substances cannot be taken as hand luggage or in the hold.
Guns or firearms (including air rifles and starting pistols) are not permitted as hand luggage. They may be allowed as hold luggage – check with your airline before you travel.