You might think that placing a fragile sticker on you luggage before handing it over at check-in is one way to ensure it’s handled with a little extra care.
Maybe someone told you that the suitcase is placed on top of others in the suitcase aeroplane cargo hold, otherwise it might be treated as a priority and come out a little faster.
However, a former flight attendant told 9Travel not to worry about it at all, because it probably won’t make a difference.
In fact, it could even have the opposite effect.
“I used to see baggage handlers, especially at airports in the US, sorting bags and they would see a fragile sticker and start making jokes,” says former cabin crew member Jen.
“They literally threw them at each other and dropped them on the pile.
“Never place a fragile sticker on your suitcase.”
Many other travelers and airline employees have shared similar advice online, with many emphasizing that the one thing you can do to prevent damage to your belongings is to pack them carefully.
Or better yet, don’t pack anything breakable.
“Fragile sticker means nothing,” someone wrote on Reddit. “You don’t get any special treatment if you just stick a sticker. To prevent that, it must be properly packaged.”
Others also said that if the stickers look old or worn, they will also be ignored, so there is no point in leaving one on ‘just in case’.
“If the bag has a fragile tag that looks old or is from another airline, then it is as good as expired,” said Zack, an airport crew member. Conde Nast traveler.
A baggage handler from Dublin Airport warned about something extra on your suitcase can interfere with automatic scanners at airports, especially ribbons.
“Ribbons that people tie to their suitcases to help identify them can cause problems when scanning the bag in the baggage hall,” he said Respond live.
He also advised people to ensure that any old stickers on the bags are removed, otherwise it could “cause confusion in the scanning process”.