Making Luggage Standout
 

Here's a question that I must ask!

First the reason for my question. I am leaving in August for Cairns, Australia (actual destination is Robina, Gold Coast, Australia, but my Bridging Cultures program is in Cairns). I bought black luggage, I don't know what possessed me to do this, but I did. Maybe it was the sale on the luggage. ($99 for a 5 piece set that was normally $230, I could not beat that with a stick!) I want to make my two bags stick out, any ideas of what I could make to make them stand out?

My program is giving us bright colored tags for our luggage, but I want to take extra percautions. Should I also buy brightly colored locks?

Also, any ideas for things I could do on such a long flight? Other than sleep! I already planned on that! I am also hoping to invest in a kindle, just so that I can have some books on me, and not have to lug them.

I don't really know where you live but we flew from Los Angles, USA, to Christchurch, New Zealand on a direct flight. We were lucky enough to leave at our night time and arrive at their daytime. (The same on the return flight). I asked my doctor if a should take a sleeping pill and she said definitely. I slept both ways, no jet lag. I don't take sleeping pills, but I would again for a long nighttime flight.

You can't lock your luggage because of security. Maybe some velcro on handles. I have a Kindle and there are plenty of games for Kindle as well as books. http://www.flickr.com/photos/52997412@N06/5142983155/

I'm getting TSA approved locks, which means I can lock them, but TSA is allowed to open them. I don't know how that works, but it's what I'm doing.

I'm flying from Chicago to Los Angeles, and then Los Angeles to Brisbane. Brisbane to Cairns and then Cairns to Brisbane. My flight from LA takes off at 11:35 pm. I plan to sleep on the flight, but I'm not going to sleep 14 hours.

Congrats on being able to spend time in Australia.

I'd also like to mark my black luggage to make it stand out when traveling, it would save lots of time looking for it at airport carousels. Will be checking back to see what ideas others have.

I bought straps for our luggage, you can get them anywhere that sells luggage and even Walmart and Target. They go around the luggage and buckle, many many bright colors to chose from. I think they were about $5 each

I took brightly colored tape, it wasnt duct tape, had a shiny surface and put a big X on both sides. I could spot that coming down the luggage ramp. Duct tape come is all colors so I guess that would work too. Bright yellow!!

I stenciled a bright design on our black luggage. It really helped. it was quick, easy and origional.

Be sure and check with your airline regarding the straps that go all the way around. When my daughter went to Europe she had to remove them as they catch on other luggage I guess. Fortunately we had also put colored ribbons on her handles. :)

Actually - you are allowed to lock luggage. The TSA just has the right to remove them for searches, if they decide your bag needs a physical search. Non-TSA locks are normally just cut off. The TSA has partnered with luggage & lock companies to make TSA approved locks that essentially have a master key for the TSA to use. This allows the TSA to have access, yet protects your luggage from non-TSA personnel.

Here's the TSA webpage explaining them: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...ant/locks.shtm

What an exciting adventure! I would definitely take a sleeping pill. In my opinion you will get a more restful sleep. Also, if you have an inflatable/travel pillow bring that as well. I also travel with my own throw to use instead of the airline's blanket. Those things will help you have a better sleep.

As for things to do, do you do any kind of handwork? I knit so I would bring knitting. Nothing too challenging or large. I would probably bring an applique project if I couldn't knit. I also like to use flight time to make my lists.

I would go with the brightly colored locks. I have a red suitcase and it is a not that common type so I used to not have too much trouble. However, recently, I've seen tons of red suitcases in a similar style so I've made some decorative tassels to put on my handle. I have also seen patterns for handmade luggage tags. I was thinking about making some single block tags and that would be fun too.

I take a 2.5 inch strip of bright fabric, and tie a piece on the handle of my luggage. You can spot it it an instant on the luggage turntable. Good luck and have a fun trip.

I stenciled/painted a large sunflower (what else could I do?) on each side of my bag; it could easily be seen on the luggage carousel and was pretty too. I received several complementary comments. But large colorful duct tape Xs would do the trick and can be removed when no longer needed.

Thank you! I will keep those ideas in mind!

I stenciled an angel on the front of my bag so I could spot it when it arrived at the baggage claim.

That's what I did. I put the design on all sides including top and bottom so I can see it coming on the carousel no matter how it's facing. Just something small like a leaf or a flower but in a bright color.

As for taking needlework to work on while in flight, can you take scissors now??

About three years ago I bought red luggage thinking it would be easy to spot on the carousel. Apparently, everyone else had the same idea. I have pulled the wrong luggage off the carousel more than I like to admit. I finally took some yellow ribbon and tied it around the handle of the bag. It's a short ribbon so it won't get stuck in any of the mechanisms at the airport. I'm always able to spot it, so much easier!!

Get some brightly colored hairbands and put them on the handles of the luggage to differentiate your luggage from everyone elses. Bands of fabric would work, too.

Enjoy your trip!

in 2004 DH and I traveled. Our TSA approved locks disappeared after the bags were checked in! Such is life.

It really depends on the airline. I have taken blunt tip scissors on some international flights and domestic flights and then not been able to on others. I usually always carry either a dental floss container to cut thread, a round Clover thread cutter or the Clover yarn cutter with no problems. I leave it in my notions case in my carry on with no problems.

Thankfully, I have not had that happen yet. I would be very upset about that!

we use bright colored painters tape.. yep the stuff that is kinda like masking tape only it comes in colors.. I know it is supposed to be easily removed and when i am ready to remove it it does come right off with out leaving any residue. But I normally leave it on there until it is ratty looking.. which is MANY trips.. We usually mark a BIG X on front and back of suit case.... and then run a strip around the outside edges... we never have a problem spotting out luggage. We get many grin and " good idea remarks" about it too.
I also have an older suitcase that is burgandy but appears black... I used craft paint and stencils to paint flowers and leaves and such on it... it too is easily spotted... but I think the tape is the easist!

I love all the suggestions. I hope I get to use them one day. Another simplistic identifier I thought about. Take the brightly colored tape & put your initials on all sides. Don't put your name!!!! Or maybe a favorite sports team or hobby?

In the past, we used the ribbon on the handle, but if the handle is turned away from you, you have to straighten the luggage sometimes to see it. That can be annoying & taxing on the back. I vote for something that is removable on all sides. Have fun...I am very envious.

many years ago, my dear aunt simply tied a red plaid ribbon to the handle. she no longer travels and i asked her for that ribbon - it's been on my luggage for a few years now. have a great time in Australia... what a wonderful opportunity.

We had TSA approved locks they(TSA) ripedthe zipper off we had to buy new luggage,

With all the suggestions of stencilling and decorating the suitcases ........ I can't believe that no one suggested quilt blocks!!!!!!!!!

I bought black the last time ... and have regretted it ever since! First trip out, I discovered right away that everyone has black, and they all look, almost alike!! And too that it looks absolutely filthy all the time!

And to think I'd bought a nice olive green and returned it thinking I should have the classic look of the black ... and seldom, have I seen its mates! :(

I have a couple of suitcases that are jungle prints. They're pretty easy to recognize. I think I got them at Big Lots a few years back.

I crocheted a bright orange mess of chain and wadded it up like a flower. Worked perfectly. That colored duck-tape sounds really good on the handle..and lots of it.

I was thinking of getting a few bright patches and ironing them on, but I'm not sure. I like the stenciling idea and the quilt blocks too. Thank you!

I tie a piece of familiar quilt fabric on the luggage and can easily identify mine....lots of folks have blk same as I have

I painted a blue moon on both sides of my luggage. You can spot it coming. Need to do both sides because it may come out upside down. Good Luck and have a good trip.

that's exactly what I do. I had a scarf that was pink, purple and white checks. When my husbands kids visited, each of them went home with a piece of that scarf. A million bags look like mine, but I can spot that fabric from the other side of a busy terminal.

I use a bunch of 1 inch strips of bright fabric sewn to make a sort of pom pom not bigger than 3 inches across ( baggage handlers will cut off large hanging tags or other big floppy stuff, then tie it very tightly to the handle. It easy to remove if the time comes and someone else (male) uses my luggage.

Tie some bright colored fabric on the handle of each piece.

I also have black luggage. I just tied a bright pink ribbon to the handle and have always been able to find my suitcase.

TSA approved locks can be opened just as any other lock using a master key. I have a combination lock, but it has a spot on the bottom where they insert their master key to pop it open. If they open it in your presence (small airports do this), you're good. If they open it with you not there (big airports), they will place a holographic sticker on it so you know it's been opened. Have a fun trip!

I always take a crossword puzzle book, word search, iPad and book. Enjoy your trip!!

Stenciled Suitcase
 

I stenciled mine as well, and after the last trip will add more to cover up the newly aquired black marks - where do they always come from? Traveling with a new suitcase - it looked old after the first trip due to the way they are handled by airlines, I figured I may as well decorate them right off the bat!

When I travel I take a strip of scrap fabric (brightly colored) and just tie it on the handle...nothing fancy but it does the trick. How many other people out there traveling with black luggage have that exacct scrap of fabric tied.

I've tied (sturdy square knot) bright strips of (patterned) fleece, around the handles of our luggage. The fleece is very sturdy and what are the chances of someone else having the same fleece? The pieces are probably 1" - 1-1/2" wide (and long enough to dangle a bit) and each handle has a piece.

I should've read ahead, before posting. Seems this is a pretty common idea. :D