Imagine this: You’re embarking on the holiday of your dreams. You’ve cleared security at your dream destination and are eagerly awaiting your luggage on the airport carousel. As your bag comes into view, it’s clear it’s been mishandled.
It’s dented, perhaps the zip is broken, and you dread that any fragile items inside will be irreparably damaged. This scenario is a traveller’s worst nightmare, but thankfully, there are measures you can take to prevent your luggage from being roughly handled by baggage workers.
A baggage handler took to Reddit, offering to answer questions about their profession. The most popular question was “how can I ensure my precious cargo doesn’t get thrown?”
The solution is straightforward – it’s all about the wheels. If your suitcase has at least two, ideally four functioning wheels, handlers can roll it into the hold, safeguarding your belongings.
Without wheels, your bag will likely need to be tossed into the hold, increasing the risk of damage. The baggage handler confessed their “absolute least favourite” bags to load were those with jammed wheels.
The airport employee added: “We try to roll it down, but it just topples over after moving six inches.” To protect your possessions from harm, they recommend investing in a high-quality bag with four operational wheels, a soft interior lining, and a hard outer shell to cushion your belongings.
The handler confessed that fragile stickers are not as protective as passengers might hope, and can even encourage some staff to handle them less carefully. “Some of us are tempted to treat them worse, but we never do. Having a fragile tag doesn’t really make a difference,” he disclosed.
Regarding the potential distance your luggage could be thrown if it lacks wheels, the baggage handler revealed the furthest he’s seen was “about five metres or so”.
