A baggage handler has shared crucial insights into which types of suitcases are most and least likely to be thrown during airport handling, revealing that your choice of luggage can significantly impact how it is treated by ground staff.
The Wheel Factor: Essential for Gentle Handling
Taking to Reddit, a baggage handler named Adam responded to questions about his job, specifically addressing what makes luggage easy or difficult to handle. When asked about the best and worst luggage to buy, Adam was unequivocal: suitcases without wheels are among the worst options.
"In my airline, none of our holds are bin loaded, so we have to manually stack the bags inside each hold, and they can get fairly long," Adam explained. "If your bag has at least two high quality wheels, then it allows us to roll them down the hold quickly, making it easier for us. Otherwise, we have to throw the bags in order to keep to the scheduled times."
Problematic Designs That Frustrate Handlers
Adam identified specific suitcase features that create handling challenges. "My absolute least favourite bags are the ones that have four wheels, but one of them is seized up, so we try to roll it down, but it just falls over after moving six inches."
A former baggage handler echoed these concerns, adding: "The multiple zipper expanding tubes with four tiny wheels on the bottom are garbage. Square ones also suck. Both mess up the stack pattern and forced me to adjust."
The former handler expressed a wish for standardized luggage: "I had always wished on airlines issuing standard bags for use. If all bags were the same, it would be a dream. Don't get slick hard sided. They slide off or these slide off out of place."
Flight Attendant Weighs In on Material and Colour
Flight attendant Megan Homme, who works for an American airline and shares travel tips on TikTok under the handle @meganhomme, previously offered additional advice for selecting the right suitcase.
Megan highlighted that construction material should be an initial consideration. While soft-shell cases might be simpler to handle, they can create difficulties if another passenger's luggage spills or splits open in the cargo area.
She also suggested opting for dark coloured cases to reduce the likelihood of visible damage when luggage reappears from the hold. "If your bag is going under the plane, it is going to be scuffed up very quickly. I learned that the hard way," Megan cautioned.
The Bottom Line for Travellers
The consensus from aviation professionals is clear: suitcases with at least two high-quality wheels are far less likely to be thrown during handling. Wheel-less bags force handlers to toss them to maintain schedules, while poorly functioning wheels or problematic designs like square cases and slick hard-sided luggage create stacking difficulties that can lead to rougher treatment.
By choosing luggage with reliable wheels, avoiding designs that disrupt stacking patterns, and considering practical factors like colour and material, travellers can significantly improve how their belongings are handled during air travel.
