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How to Survive the Baggage Carousel at Ben Gurion Airport Without Losing Your Trolley (or Your Mind)
October 23, 2026
To keep your suitcase from getting lost or taken by mistake at the baggage carousel at Ben Gurion Airport, make it unique: use a colorful suitcase cover, attach a bold, sturdy ID tag and hide a tracker inside (like an AirTag). At the moment of truth by the carousel, don't press up against the yellow line, spot your identifying marks from a distance and don't let anyone touch your bag without checking the tag.
"Oh Ben Gurion, forever remember our names... suitcases were lost on the way to the city, by the carousel our trolleys lie like skeletons..." These melancholy words, a heartbreaking (and hilariously funny) parody of a famous poem by the Israeli poet Nathan Alterman, were recently posted on the X (formerly Twitter) account of Ziv Yekutieli. The post came with a painful photo familiar to every Israeli traveler: dozens of black trolleys and suitcases, orphaned, standing in long rows like a monument to aviation loss next to the baggage carousels at Ben Gurion Airport. They are waiting for their owners, or maybe for someone to rescue them from their loneliness.
As a family business we have been making bags and luggage and accompanying travelers since 1975, and as the Camel Mountain brand since 2006. We have seen it all, but the sights at Ben Gurion in peak season always manage to surprise us again. So you don't find yourself standing in front of an empty carousel, staring into space and trying to remember whether your trolley was black with a blue zipper or blue with a black zipper, we prepared the complete guide to surviving the carousel.
The black syndrome: why we all fall into the same trap at the carousel
Let's be honest: most of us buy black, dark blue or gray suitcases. Why? Because they are practical, they don't get dirty easily, and they look professional. But when 300 passengers get off a packed flight from Greece or Thailand, and they are all waiting for exactly the same model of 20" black trolley, the result is total chaos.
In that situation, all it takes is one tired, distracted or simply impatient passenger who pulls your suitcase off because it looks "just like his", and heads off toward the train. By the time you figure out what happened, you are left with his suitcase (holding mostly clothes in the wrong size and souvenirs you don't need) and a great deal of frustration. The solution is not to stop buying quality dark suitcases, but to know how to give them a unique character that can't be missed.
The practical guide: how to mark your suitcase so it doesn't become a "skeleton" at the airport
To stop others from taking your suitcase, and so you can recognize it within half a second of it peeking out of the carousel opening, there are some proven methods:
- A colorful elastic suitcase cover: this is the most effective solution. Besides protecting your suitcase from scratches and knocks from rough baggage handlers, a designed or neon cover makes your suitcase one of a kind. Nobody will take a suitcase with a psychedelic cover or a bold geometric print by mistake.
- Unique (not generic) ID tags: a simple black plastic name tag is not enough. Go for quality leather ID tags, or ones with colorful, artistic designs. Make sure your details (name and phone number with the international prefix) are clearly written inside.
- Technology for your luggage (AirTag / SmartTag): don't leave home without a tracker inside your suitcase. True, it won't stop someone from picking it up, but it lets you know exactly where it is: whether it is still in the hold, already on the carousel, or currently making its way down the highway in someone else's car.
- Avoid fluttering ribbons: many travelers tie a red or green ribbon on the handle. It's nice, but ribbons that are too long can get caught in the conveyor mechanisms and tear off the handle or delay the suitcase. If you tie one, keep it very short and tight.
Comparing solutions: what is the best way to mark and protect your luggage?
To sort out the mess, we gathered the common solutions on the market for protecting and marking your suitcase, with the pros and cons of each:
| Solution | Marking effectiveness | Main advantage | Possible drawback | Camel score (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elastic suitcase cover | Very high | Protects from scratches, stands out from far away, prevents accidental opening. | Needs to be put on and taken off every time you want to open the zipper. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Designed or colorful name tag | Medium | Lets you quickly identify the owner and prevents arguments at the carousel. | May be torn off if it isn't attached with a strong enough buckle. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Tracker (AirTag) | High (digital) | Complete peace of mind, real-time tracking from your smartphone. | Doesn't physically stop another person from taking the suitcase. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Tying a colorful ribbon | Low to medium | A cheap last-minute solution available in every home. | Can get stuck in conveyors and tear, looks sloppy. | ⭐⭐ |
Close combat at the carousel: how to behave at the moment of truth
The landing went fine, you passed passport control, and now you have reached the real battlefield: the arrivals hall. Here are a few iron rules that will protect your suitcase and your sanity:
1. Take a step back: there is no reason to physically cling to the carousel and block everyone's view. Stand two meters back. That way you can see your suitcase coming from a distance, step forward calmly, lift it and clear the space.
2. Don't rely on visual memory alone: before you leave the hall with a winner's confidence, always, always check the barcode sticker put on the suitcase at check-in and compare it with the sticker on your boarding pass. Your name is on it. It takes 3 seconds and saves days of heartache.
3. The "patience pays" tactic: if you see someone reaching for a suitcase that looks exactly like yours, don't be shy about asking politely: "Excuse me, could you check the name on the tag?" A second of mild embarrassment is better than finding out at home that you brought back the Smith family's suitcase instead of your own.
Emergency protocol: what to do when the suitcase really refuses to arrive
You stood, you waited, the carousel stopped and the lights went out. Your suitcase isn't there. First of all, take a deep breath. It happens to too many people, and it can be solved. Don't leave the arrivals hall before going to the baggage Lost & Found desk, which is right there in the hall. Fill in a PIR (Property Irregularity Report), make sure you get a copy and a tracking number, and leave accurate details. If you have an AirTag inside, show the agent the exact location of the suitcase. It shortens the search process dramatically.
In short, Ben Gurion Airport may keep giving us funny and painful moments of lost suitcases, but with a little preparation, the right gear and smart marking, your suitcase won't become another sad skeleton next to the carousel. Have a pleasant flight and a safe return!
Based on a report: Oh Ben Gurion, forever remember our names: suitcases were lost on the way to the city, by the carousel our trolleys lie like skeletons (Ziv Yekutieli on X, in Hebrew)
Products that will help you on the way
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Frequently asked questions
Can I put an AirTag inside a checked suitcase?
Yes, absolutely. Major airlines and international aviation bodies have officially confirmed that personal trackers like the Apple AirTag are allowed in checked suitcases, since they use very small batteries and transmit at a low power that doesn't interfere with the aircraft's systems.
What is the best way to mark a standard black suitcase?
The most effective way is an elastic, colorful suitcase cover that covers most of its surface. If you prefer not to use a cover, a combination of a bold leather name tag and a neon luggage strap around it will do an excellent job and stop others from getting confused.
Who is responsible if someone else took my suitcase by mistake?
The first responsibility lies with the passenger who took the suitcase by mistake, who must return it to the airport. However, report it immediately to the airline at the airport's Lost & Found desk. The airline will help contact the other passenger and coordinate swapping the suitcases.
Is tying a colorful ribbon on the handle really dangerous for the suitcase?
Ribbons that are too long or loose can get caught in the automated conveyors of the baggage sorting system at airports around the world. That can rip off the handle or tear the suitcase. If you choose a ribbon, make sure it is very short, tight and tied with a strong double knot that leaves no loose ends.
