What must be done to luggage before it is loaded onto an aircraft?

Before luggage is loaded onto an aircraft, proper tagging and sorting are essential. This process ensures that each piece of baggage is correctly identified and routed to its respective destination. Tagging allows for the efficient tracking of luggage throughout the journey, minimizing the potential for loss or misplacement. Each bag receives a tag that often contains important information, such as the passenger’s name, flight number, and destination.

Sorting is equally crucial because it ensures that the luggage is loaded onto the right flight. It prevents mix-ups between bags belonging to different flights and guarantees that the luggage arrives at the correct airport when the flight is completed. If luggage is not properly tagged and sorted, it could result in significant delays, inconvenience for passengers, and increased operational challenges for the airline.

While weighing luggage, inspecting for damage, and storing luggage properly are important steps in the process, they occur around or after the tagging and sorting to ensure smooth handling and transportation. However, the primary focus before loading is the tagging and sorting to ensure all luggage is accounted for and directed correctly.