'Need to Know Information': Baggage Handler Shares Hack For Ensuring Checked Luggage Doesn't Get Lost The airport employee is going viral for his little known tip about the stickers on your baggage.

By Emily Rella

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

If you've ever been a victim of lost luggage at the airport, one baggage handler might have the not-so-obvious reason why.

In a clip that's been viewed over 459,600 times, a worker at the Ontario International Airport based in Southern California explained to viewers that travelers should always take the old stickers off their luggage once a trip is completed.

"Let's say you flew American and a month later you flew Southwest," the man explains before motioning to a conveyor belt to his right. "Well, there's a little sticker that goes on for American that tells the computer to go there."

@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 ♬ Sunshine - WIRA

He then points to another sticker on the handle of the luggage.

"If your month-old American sticker is on there, there's a chance it scans it instead of this one. It might end up over there and not get on the plane."

Viewers were in shock in the comment section, seemingly connecting many dots from tales of lost luggage past.

"Oh my gracious," one wrote. That's such a high DUH factor."

"WHERE has this man with this information been our whole lives?!!!! This is NEED TO KNOW INFORMATION," another exclaimed.

Others, however, chalked the piece of knowledge up to simple "common sense" and were less than impressed.

"I mean I thought it was common sense to remove an old tag.. Like when you buy a shirt," one person said. "You don't leave the tag hangin off it do ya? Same concept here."

"How did people not know this," another offered bluntly. "I'm paranoid about them."

According to Luggage Hero, there were over 684,000 lost and mishandled bags in the first quarter of 2022 alone.

Emily Rella

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

She Quit Her Job at Trader Joe's After Starting a Side Hustle With $800 — Then She and Her Brother Grew the Business to $20 Million

Jaime Holm and Matt Hannula teamed up to build a business in an industry that "didn't exist" yet.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Growing a Business

This Local Bakery Has Lines Out the Door. Here Are the Secrets to Its Success.

Known for its viral flat croissants and innovative desserts, Alexander's Patisserie also excels in hands-on leadership and team culture.

Business News

Nissan Is Doubling Its Initial Layoff Announcement, Cutting 20,000 Jobs: 'A Wake-Up Call'

The automaker is dealing with slowing sales and a recent failed merger with Honda.

Buying / Investing in Business

Former Zillow Execs Target $1.3T Market

Co-ownership is creating big opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Business News

Microsoft Is Laying Off Over 6,000 Employees, About 3% of Its Workforce. Here's Why.

The company said the cuts will affect all divisions and locations, with a focus on managers.