# Recognizing your luggage at the baggage claim **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 16, 2021, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recognizing-your-luggage-at-the-baggage-claim/948952 "2021-08-16T19:15:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recognizing-your-luggage-at-the-baggage-claim/948952/21 "2021-08-17T03:48:32Z")
Perhaps these men are drivers recovering their clients’ (or friends’) luggage, and only have a general description and the name on the tag to go on. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recognizing-your-luggage-at-the-baggage-claim/948952/22 "2021-08-17T05:03:49Z")
I know exactly what my bag looks like but I pick up lots of random bags passing on the carousel because it annoys some people. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recognizing-your-luggage-at-the-baggage-claim/948952/23 "2021-08-17T05:04:55Z")
When I lived in Japan everyone was using luggage straps. I got some very distinctive ones which makes life so much easier. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recognizing-your-luggage-at-the-baggage-claim/948952/24 "2021-08-17T05:11:54Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > I’ve used a luggage tag that flashes a marquee of light when it gets jostled. I would think TSA would have dim view of any luggage with flashing lights. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recognizing-your-luggage-at-the-baggage-claim/948952/25 "2021-08-17T05:47:37Z")
I haven’t had any problem with my own black bag, but my daughter did bring home a bright orange bag that was very similar to hers… but not the same. Easy to assume you have the right bag when you think it is unique. ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recognizing-your-luggage-at-the-baggage-claim/948952/26 "2021-08-17T07:28:07Z")
I had a red bag and slapped bright pink and yellow duct tape on all sides. Worked like a charm. My dad’s distinctive luggage tag got torn off somehow on out last trip, so we had to yank out any that looked similar to find. Luckily it was the 4th or 5th one we looked at. ---
**Author:** ![scareyfaerie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scareyfaerie/32/3135_2.png) [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recognizing-your-luggage-at-the-baggage-claim/948952/27 "2021-08-17T08:26:46Z")
I have a purple hardshell case that’s liberally dotted with promotional band stickers that have been superglued on. I’m pretty that aside from my partner, I am likely to be the only person on my flight with a suitcase covered in Baleful Creed stickers 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recognizing-your-luggage-at-the-baggage-claim/948952/28 "2021-08-17T08:27:30Z")
I usually travel alone, so I generally only have my own luggage to look after. If it’s a week or less, I pack most everything I can in a carryon, and buy toiletries, and any other clothing items when I get to my destination. I then ship back the clothing to my house at the end of the trip. Not the cheapest, but certainly the most convenient for me. On the rare occasions I have more than a carryon, my luggage is harvest gold or turquoise and purple paisley Samsonite hard luggage from the 70’s. Can’t miss that on the carousel. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recognizing-your-luggage-at-the-baggage-claim/948952/29 "2021-08-17T08:32:28Z")
We usually travel with two checked bags (both packed to within a gram of the 23 kilos we are allowed) and we have some neon yellow/black straps that wrap right around them to make them stand out and help keep them secure. We also put a tag with our name and phone number on it and a card with the same inside. We used to put names and addresses on the labels, but I read somewhere that it wasn’t unknown for miscreants to spot labels like that so that they could see who wouldn’t be home for a couple of weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recognizing-your-luggage-at-the-baggage-claim/948952/30 "2021-08-17T09:33:18Z")
I’ve traveled with your basic Atlantic black roller bag. So does everybody. I never have a problem seeing my bag. Why? Purple yarn tied in a floppy knot to the top handle. Unless your bag looks like a bottle of Mountain Dew, trust me, use the yarn. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recognizing-your-luggage-at-the-baggage-claim/948952/31 "2021-08-17T13:54:27Z")
The Mrs. does custom decoration on our bags. My big check-in bag has a rather large cursive QtM design glitter painted on the front of it. My carry-on has a triangle in a circle in silver on it. Easy peasy. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recognizing-your-luggage-at-the-baggage-claim/948952/32 "2021-08-17T14:04:52Z")
My old suitcase is red and black plaid, never seen another like it on the carousel. My newer one is a green hardside that probably looks like a bunch of others. We have distinctive luggage tags, but I’ll probably put some stickers on it to be sure. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recognizing-your-luggage-at-the-baggage-claim/948952/33 "2021-08-17T14:15:43Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > > [@RealityChuck](#): > > > > I’ve used a luggage tag that flashes a marquee of light when it gets jostled. > > I would think TSA would have dim view of any luggage with flashing lights. Didn’t have any problem on that end. The problem was that the luggage wasn’t always jostled enough to start the lights. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recognizing-your-luggage-at-the-baggage-claim/948952/34 "2021-08-17T14:24:12Z")
_Michael and Heather at the baggage claim_ _Tired of playing the waiting game_ _Every bag has got a different name_ _Michael and Heather may never get home again_ [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Bbi2QKaXrBY/hqdefault.jpg "Fountains of Wayne - Traffic and Weather - Michael and Heather at the Baggage Claim") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbi2QKaXrBY) ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recognizing-your-luggage-at-the-baggage-claim/948952/35 "2021-08-17T17:23:49Z")
I purposely have a (not quite neon but bright) green duffle when I check, and an orange (orangy enough to distinguish from all the red ones) for carry-on (I have gate checked it) Brian ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recognizing-your-luggage-at-the-baggage-claim/948952/36 "2021-08-17T21:49:46Z")
I used to do ribbons, but half the bags I saw last week had ribbons, and there are only so many colors. My luggage tag is large, brightly colored, and says “This is Not Your Luggage” in large, friendly letters on one side. That works pretty well. ---
**Author:** ![SpinyNorma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e5b9ba/32.png) [@SpinyNorma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpinyNorma)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recognizing-your-luggage-at-the-baggage-claim/948952/37 "2021-08-19T03:20:46Z")
I had black luggage and quickly learned that I had made a huge mistake. My next one was bright red, a color I thought would be distinctive amongst all the other bags but apparently a lot of other people had that same idea. My current one is a fairly distinctive blue. I’ve seen similar ones on the baggage carousel but not more than one, maybe two. I mark my bags (especially when I had the black ones) with red duct tape. Unlike ribbon or yarn, it stays put and doesn’t catch on anything. I double check the luggage tag to make sure I got the right one. If I forgot to put on or it fell off, I check the top outer pocket to see if I recognize the stuff inside. I also put an index card with my name and cell number so that it’s visible inside that inside mesh pocket inside the suitcase, just in case the ID tag is missing. I’ve only had my luggage go missing once but that was a big enough pain that I’ve been a little paranoid about it since then. ---
**Author:** ![TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thegunismightierthanthepen/32/2981_2.png) [@TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheGunIsMightierThanThePen)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recognizing-your-luggage-at-the-baggage-claim/948952/38 "2021-08-19T03:24:28Z")
I put a lock with a bright color on my suitcase. Other people may have the same model of suitcase or a similar-looking lock, but it’s rare that they have the exact same combination of both. Also, anyone else remember the guy who printed a picture of himself on his suitcase? [![](https://i.imgur.com/P0TMVWP.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/P0TMVWP.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![tavaritz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/71e660/32.png) [@tavaritz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tavaritz)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recognizing-your-luggage-at-the-baggage-claim/948952/39 "2021-08-19T05:40:10Z")
Haven’t traveled for awhile but I have black Samsonite luggage mangler and I usually use blue-orange strap on it. But how I find my luggage is that it’s usually off the carousel somewhere near. I decided early in my business travels that I go pee and to coffee shop before I go to the luggage claim. Much easier that way. But the caveat being that if everybody starts to do that it helps no-one. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recognizing-your-luggage-at-the-baggage-claim/948952/40 "2021-08-19T11:33:30Z")
I intentionally buy the tackiest, loudest, ugliest luggage I can find. I don’t care what it looks like even a little bit, as long as I can identify it from across the airport. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recognizing-your-luggage-at-the-baggage-claim/948952.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recognizing-your-luggage-at-the-baggage-claim/948952.md?page=3)