Originally Posted by
Dianne47
I use ribbons tied to the handle to differentiate my bag. Very easy to spot when they unload all the black bags in the jetway. Go to any fabric or crafts store and buy 1 yard of ribbon. to make 3 "tags." I use black/white check ribbons and red/black dotted ribbons. Use about 12 inches of ribbon and tie it to a handle with a square knot. Cut the ends with pinking shears to avoid fraying.
Another possible solution would be the bright yellow flyertalk bag tags they sell on this site. I use those on both carry-on and checked bags.
A few years years ago my wife and I were traveling SMF-SNA. We had an old turquoise hard sided American Tourister piece from the 1960's (!) her parents had given us to carry some extra things home. The color alone should have been unique, but my wife insisted on putting a red ribbon on the handle- she normally uses ribbons to mark our bags.
When we got to the baggage carousel at SNA, the bags had already started coming off. Indeed there was an old turquoise hard-sided bag-- but without the red ribbon. We first thought the ribbon had come off. When we reached for the bag, it didn't feel right. I examined the suitcase and lo and behold, it was not ours! So put it back on the carousel and waited for our bag. It never came off.
The owner of the non ribbon-tagged bag had picked up our piece instead and we were left with the wrong suitcase.
We got it straightened our eventually and within a day both bags were re-united with rightful owners, but what were the chances that two old-fashioned odd-colored suitcases would be on the same flight? The ribbon didn't help much that day!