Baggage Stubbies: The Sticky Truth
The Origin of Stubbies
Originally, stubbies were not designed for how they’re commonly used today. They were intended as a security feature.
In countries with baggage reconciliation processes, stubbies were placed on a sheet of paper to create a manifest of all the bags on board a flight—an important document for the airline.
Ideally, each stubby should display an airport code and be used only at that specific airport. For example, on a journey through PIT, CLT, and LHR, there should be one stubby for each airport.
Baggage reconciliation systems replaced this practice in many airports, but for some the cost of such systems is too high, and the manual process remains in place.
The Reality of Stubby Usage
However, what actually happens is quite different. Check-in agents often place stubbies on your bag in case the main baggage tag comes off.
These stickers then become stuck not only on your bag but also throughout the entire baggage system. They adhere to the curtains in front of EDS machines, cling to chutes and conveyors, and can be found everywhere. When a manual reconciliation is needed, the stubbies are often missing.
The Problems with Old Stubbies
Things get even worse when travellers leave old stubbies on their bags as mementos of previous trips. These outdated stickers can still be read by the baggage system, potentially causing your bag to be misrouted.
In the worst cases, your bag might be sent to the wrong flight if the 10-digit license plate matches another bag at the airport. Even if that doesn’t happen, the bag might end up requiring manual handling or being sent to a default chute.
Spotted in Dubai airport: A bag at the secondary search area that had over 40 old stubbies.
No wonder it was mishandled!
Can We Live Without Reconciliation Stubs?
Absolutely. The manual recording of which bags are on a flight doesn’t need to exist in today’s digital age. By simply scanning bags against the flight, airlines can print out a manifest on demand. This approach eliminates the need for reconciliation stubs, resulting in cleaner baggage systems and more efficient processing. This is not a reconciliation system - it is a simple scan and load, and can therefore be a highly cost effective solution.
Passengers can use simple labels to identify their bags. Personally, I always put a business card in a holder on my bag and include a trip itinerary on top of my packed items. This prevents the disclosure of personal information like my address but ensures that I can be contacted if necessary.
Are There Other Benefits?
Removing stubbies not only simplifies the process but also reduces costs. Airlines can use more cost-effective, simpler tags, reducing waste and saving money. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.
By embracing these changes, we can improve the efficiency of baggage handling systems, reduce mishandling, and make travel a smoother experience for everyone.