Yahoo News Baggage handler reveals which suitcase is least likely to get 'tossed around'
Imagine you're all set for the holiday of a lifetime. You've breezed through security and are eagerly waiting at the baggage carousel in your dream destination.
Then, as your luggage appears, your heart sinks. It's been tossed about, showing dents, perhaps a broken zip, and you just know that anything delicate inside is now in pieces.
It's every traveller's worst fear, but there are ways to prevent your luggage from being mishandled by airport staff. A baggage handler took to Reddit to offer insights into their job and answer questions from curious travellers.
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The secret to keeping your belongings safe? It's all about the wheels, reports the Express.
Luggage with two or four functioning wheels can be smoothly rolled into the aircraft hold, reducing the risk of damage. Without wheels, bags are more likely to be thrown, increasing the chances of mishaps.
The baggage handler admitted that their "absolute least favourite" luggage to deal with are those with jammed wheels. They explained: "We try to roll it down, but it just falls over after moving six inches."
To protect your possessions, they suggest investing in a high-quality suitcase with four working wheels, a soft interior, and a sturdy exterior shell for maximum cushioning.
The baggage handler confessed that 'fragile' stickers might not guarantee the careful handling of luggage, and could even encourage rougher treatment by some staff members. "Some of us are tempted to treat them worse, but we never do. Having a fragile tag doesn't really make a difference," they revealed.
The handler also disclosed that non-wheeled bags can be thrown quite a distance, with the furthest they've seen being "about five metres or so".
