In a TikTok video that has gone viral, an Ontario International Airport (United States) employee revealed a common error that most travelers make that could lead to lost checked luggage.
In the video, the employee, who goes by the handle @flyontairport, explains that some passengers do not remove old baggage tags from their luggage before checking in for a new flight. This can lead to the luggage being routed to the wrong destination.
Always Remove Old Luggage Tags
@flyontairport Pro Tip: If you dont want your bags to get lost when traveling… remove old stickers from past trips off your luggage. #FlyONT #SoCalSoEasy
“Let’s say you flew American [Airlines], and then a month later you flew Southwest [Airlines],” the employee says in the video. “Well, there’s a little sticker that goes on for American that tells the computer that it should go there,” he adds.
“So if your old American sticker is on there, there’s a chance it’ll get scanned instead of the new one. It just depends on how it’s clocked and where the stuff is. It might end up somewhere else and not get on the plane.”
The employee advises passengers to always remove old baggage tags from their suitcases before checking in for a new flight. This can help to ensure that the luggage is routed to the correct destination.
TikTok Users Reaction to The Video
The video has been viewed over 467,000 times and has received over 300 comments. Many viewers thanked the employee for the advice, and some shared their own stories about losing their checked baggage.
Others commented that they were surprised to learn that old baggage tags could cause luggage to be lost.
“I always assumed this was common sense,” one viewer commented. “Airlines won’t even put new stickers on your bag until the old one is off.”
Another viewer commented: “Idk about the probability of that happening. Most agents remove old tags when checking in.”
However, the employee responded to these comments by saying that it is still important to remove old baggage tags, even if the airline is likely to do so for you.
“It’s always better to be safe than sorry,” the employee said.
Conclusion
According to the US Department of Transportation, over 23 million bags were lost or misplaced in 2022. Fortunately, most lost bags are eventually reunited with their owners. However, by following the employee’s advice, passengers and travelers can help to reduce their chances of losing their luggage in the first place.