If you thought the battle for overhead bin space was the biggest challenge your luggage faced, think again. A baggage handler, identified only as Adam on Reddit, has lifted the lid on what really happens to your bags behind the scenes—and what suitcase features secretly drive ground staff mad. In a post that’s been cited in The Mirror, Adam didn’t hold back as he dished out travel wisdom for flyers eager to keep their belongings safe and avoid earning the quiet wrath of baggage crews worldwide.
'We Really Hate Your Bag If It Has No Wheels'
According to Adam, bags without wheels—or worse, bags with malfunctioning wheels—are a baggage handler's nightmare. “My absolute least favourite bags are the ones that have 4 wheels, but one of them is seized up,” he said. “We try to roll it down, but it just falls over after moving six inches.” He added that luggage without wheels forces handlers to throw them to stay on schedule, increasing the likelihood of damage. “In my airline, none of our holds are bin loaded, so we have to manually stack the bags. If your bag has at least two high-quality wheels, then we can roll them down quickly. Otherwise, we’re left tossing them.”
Soft Shell or Hard Case? It Depends on Your Priorities
When asked about the age-old debate between soft shell and hard case luggage, Adam responded with nuanced advice: “If you don’t mind your stuff being compressed, then soft case will do you fine. These tend to be more space efficient in the hold.” But if you’re carrying anything remotely fragile, he insists a hard case is your best bet to prevent crushing and damage.
A Baggage Handler's Luggage Hall of Shame
Adam didn’t stop at just wheel complaints. Bags with “dodgy wheels, no proper handholds, or no wheels at all” top his list of hated luggage. “Is your bag one with no wheels or one with no proper handholds? Those are some of the bags I really, really hate,” he admitted. It’s a detail few travelers think about, but one that can have significant consequences when your suitcase is being maneuvered quickly through narrow, fast-paced cargo holds.
Name Tags Are More Than Just Decoration
If you've ever felt smug about skipping the name tag, think again. Adam emphasized the importance of personalizing your luggage with clear name tags or distinctive identifiers. “We see a lot of bags that look exactly identical to one another going on the same flight,” he said. Having a tag with your name and address—or even using a bold luggage strap—can prevent your bag from ending up in the wrong hands.
The Secret Cost of a Broken Wheel? Your Belongings
With tight turnaround times and cramped cargo spaces, baggage handlers often have to make split-second decisions. Adam’s brutal honesty reveals the harsh reality: if your bag isn’t easily movable, it’s more likely to get thrown or handled roughly. That missing or broken wheel? It might cost you more than a repair—it could mean smashed contents and a bad start to your holiday.
Next time you shop for travel luggage, remember it’s not just about aesthetics or Instagrammable color schemes. According to those who deal with your bags every day, functionality matters far more. Good wheels, strong handles, durable materials, and smart tagging could be the difference between a smooth arrival and an airport horror story. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll save a baggage handler a few curses along the way.
'We Really Hate Your Bag If It Has No Wheels'
According to Adam, bags without wheels—or worse, bags with malfunctioning wheels—are a baggage handler's nightmare. “My absolute least favourite bags are the ones that have 4 wheels, but one of them is seized up,” he said. “We try to roll it down, but it just falls over after moving six inches.” He added that luggage without wheels forces handlers to throw them to stay on schedule, increasing the likelihood of damage. “In my airline, none of our holds are bin loaded, so we have to manually stack the bags. If your bag has at least two high-quality wheels, then we can roll them down quickly. Otherwise, we’re left tossing them.”
Soft Shell or Hard Case? It Depends on Your Priorities
When asked about the age-old debate between soft shell and hard case luggage, Adam responded with nuanced advice: “If you don’t mind your stuff being compressed, then soft case will do you fine. These tend to be more space efficient in the hold.” But if you’re carrying anything remotely fragile, he insists a hard case is your best bet to prevent crushing and damage.
A Baggage Handler's Luggage Hall of Shame
Adam didn’t stop at just wheel complaints. Bags with “dodgy wheels, no proper handholds, or no wheels at all” top his list of hated luggage. “Is your bag one with no wheels or one with no proper handholds? Those are some of the bags I really, really hate,” he admitted. It’s a detail few travelers think about, but one that can have significant consequences when your suitcase is being maneuvered quickly through narrow, fast-paced cargo holds.
Name Tags Are More Than Just Decoration
If you've ever felt smug about skipping the name tag, think again. Adam emphasized the importance of personalizing your luggage with clear name tags or distinctive identifiers. “We see a lot of bags that look exactly identical to one another going on the same flight,” he said. Having a tag with your name and address—or even using a bold luggage strap—can prevent your bag from ending up in the wrong hands.
The Secret Cost of a Broken Wheel? Your Belongings
With tight turnaround times and cramped cargo spaces, baggage handlers often have to make split-second decisions. Adam’s brutal honesty reveals the harsh reality: if your bag isn’t easily movable, it’s more likely to get thrown or handled roughly. That missing or broken wheel? It might cost you more than a repair—it could mean smashed contents and a bad start to your holiday.
Next time you shop for travel luggage, remember it’s not just about aesthetics or Instagrammable color schemes. According to those who deal with your bags every day, functionality matters far more. Good wheels, strong handles, durable materials, and smart tagging could be the difference between a smooth arrival and an airport horror story. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll save a baggage handler a few curses along the way.
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