Summary

  • Stand a few feet from the carousel and wait for your bag to appear.
  • Use unique identification tags to make your luggage stand out.
  • Be patient, offer help, and be courteous to maintain a peaceful baggage claim area.

After a flight, whether it be a short hop or long-haul, you will need to collect your checked suitcase from the baggage carousel before leaving. This may seem straightforward, but it can be stressful for travelers due to the behavior of some passengers who do not follow basic etiquette.

People who check in baggage usually do so because they must bring more items than they can carry onboard or travel with large equipment. As a result, waiting for the bags to arrive can be frustrating, especially if your bags contain what you need for a long trip. The anxiety of potentially losing your luggage can add to this frustration.

Passengers stand around a luggage carousel with many bags.

Photo: MikeDotta | Shutterstock

Sometimes, it can be frustrating when some travelers act disrespectfully and lack courtesy towards others, pushing, shouting, and causing discomfort for no apparent reason. To prevent such unpleasant inconveniences, here are five tips that you can follow.

1

Avoid waiting at the start of the conveyor belt

You need time to identify and grab your bag

Although there isn’t a specific order for the bags to be unloaded, it typically depends on how they were loaded at the departure airport. As a result, your luggage may not be one of the first to arrive. Standing a few feet from the carousel, waiting until you see your bag before approaching is best.

Trying to grab your bag too soon could cause a blockage and inconvenience for others. Don’t worry, your suitcase will come out when ready, just like everyone else’s. Moreover, the exit to the airport may be located on the opposite side of the baggage carousel.

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2

Ensure that your luggage is easily identifiable

Place unique identification tags

  • Use tags with a distinct color or pattern
  • Print your name on the tag
  • Make use of colorful or reflective tape

Before departing from home, ensure that your luggage is easily recognizable. You can achieve this by attaching a unique tag or ribbon to your suitcase or selecting a distinct color or pattern that sets it apart.

Passengers stand around a luggage carousel with many bags.

Photo: ThamKC | Shutterstock

Doing this will let you spot your luggage quickly on the carousel and prevent others from mistakenly taking yours. Once you spot your bag, it will continuously move along the conveyor belt. Therefore, there’s no need to hurry and join the crowd around the luggage carousel. If you miss it on the first go, don’t worry, as it will return, following the same path. You can take your time and wait calmly without having to push or shout to clear a path for yourself. Your bag will eventually make its way to you.

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3

Keep a watchful eye on your children

Children can get injured during baggage claim

  • Be aware of your surroundings
  • Supervise your children at all times
  • Find a nearby seating area for children while you wait for the bags

This advice is specific to families traveling together. It’s common for parents to encourage their children to retrieve their suitcases from the baggage belt. However, these suitcases can often be too big and heavy for the children to handle alone. As a result, they might hold onto the handle and run around the belt, creating trouble for others waiting for their luggage.

Hence, it’s best to help your children lift their suitcases to prevent inconveniencing other passengers. Please keep in mind that this is not a carousel for amusement. It is a “baggage” carousel, and it is important not to play with it as it could pose a safety risk.

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4

Be patient and help others

It is almost impossible to guess the order your bag went in the plane

  • Be courteous towards elderly and people with needs
  • Be courteous towards people with young children
  • Wait for your turn
  • Ensure you are picking the right bag

Please remember to be patient when waiting for your luggage. Sometimes bags can take longer to arrive or become delayed or lost. If this happens, please do not take your frustration out on other passengers or airport staff. Instead, try to remain calm and focused, and remember that everyone is trying to reach their destination safely and comfortably.

At the baggage claim area at Las Vegas Airport.

Photo: Delta Air Lines

If you notice someone struggling to lift their heavy bag off the carousel, consider offering help. This small act of kindness can make a big difference and keep the baggage claim area peaceful, accessible, and safe for all travelers.

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It may still be around

It is common for some bags to not show up on the baggage carousel. It may be that it was mistakenly taken out during the process or was sent in the oversized conveyer belt. Whatever the case may be, your bad may still be around. Do not forget to check with the airline office at arrivals, or the airport staff. If you to your baggage carousel, the remaining bags may be taken off the belt to make room for the next flight.

These are common occurrences during peak times and at large airports. Baggage carousals are assigned to a flight for a limited time only, after which all remaining bags are offloaded to make room for the next flight. A few flights later, all you see is a herd of colorful bags in the arrivals area. This is where your identification skills come in handy.

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