Mystery Solved: Here's Why Your Checked Luggage Gets so Beat-Up

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

Caroline joined Boston-based SmarterTravel in 2011 after living in Ireland, London, and Manhattan. She's traveled to all seven continents, jumped out of planes, and bungeed off bridges in the pursuit of a good story. She loves exploring off-the-beaten path destinations, anything outdoorsy, and all things adventure.

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You brought your suitcase to the airport in pristine condition, but when your checked luggage slides down the carousel, you barely recognize it—it looks like it’s been dragged behind the plane during your flight. What happens to our checked bags that make them look so beat-up when they arrive?

Flyer Vanessa Marsh shot a video that explains why, showing baggage being loaded off a Hawaiian Airlines flight to Phoenix. The video below shows an indifferent baggage handler tossing suitcases from a good height down a metal chute where they violently bounce down.

Finally, the mystery of all my broken suitcases has been solved. Here is the ground crew at Honolulu loading up a @HawaiianAir flight to Phoenix:

The mystery of all my broken suitcases is solved – this is the ground crew at Honolulu loading up a @HawaiianAir flight to Phoenix. ????‍♀️????‍♀️????‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/rPwVobqXZO

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— Vanessa Marsh (@vanessaleemarsh) May 9, 2018

Let this video be a reminder to never pack anything valuable or breakable in your checked luggage, and to maybe consider investing in a durable hardsided suitcase.

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