The Unexpected Reason 4-Wheeled Luggage Is Less Likely To Get Damaged As A Checked Bag

There is a lot to consider when purchasing or choosing the perfect piece of luggage for traveling. Will it carry what you want to bring? Will it fit in the overhead bin or do you have to check it? What color should it be so you recognize it on the baggage carousel? Should it have two wheels or four? That last one may seem obvious for some passengers. Four wheels, especially if they spin, makes moving through the airport much easier, with the ability to tilt and roll, or slide along upright on all four. As it turns out, it's also less likely to get damaged by baggage handlers while being loaded and unloaded on the plane. 

A four-wheeled suitcase is more likely to get there in one piece because handlers have an easier time moving it quickly. One handler, referred to as "Zack," spoke to The Sun and said, "Four-wheel luggage is easy because I can set it down and push it off to my coworker or the baggage cart and it just glides there." Zack explained that the two-wheeled variety is more likely to be "thrown or dragged" if there is a time crunch. We have more reasons a four-wheeled piece of luggage is a good idea, and other things you can do to keep your suitcases safer when they're out of your hands. 

While you might pick a piece of four-wheeled carry-on luggage so you can swiftly glide it through the airport after you check your larger bag, there are good reasons for them all to have four wheels. Often we're carrying a number of suitcases from the car to the terminal, or waiting in line to drop off baggage. If they all have four wheels, you can strap them together and roll them as a single unit. (You can try something like this REI duo of 60-inch straps for around $10.) 

In addition, a bag with four wheels has better balance, which is great if you're one of the many people who try to balance your personal items, such as a purse or that giant drink you got from the store by your gate, on top of it. It will also take up less room in the airport since you can roll it along next to you, rather than drag it at an angle behind you. Later, it will be easier to stack them next to each other in your hotel room, saving space. Two-wheeled bags often lean a bit or flop over onto smaller ones, causing a domino effect. You can also roll your carry-on upright on all four wheels as you enter and exit the plane, leaving more room for other passengers.

Keeping the zippers on the outside of your luggage closed is something that should be a no-brainer. If things fall out of a suitcase, baggage handlers don't have time to grab it and figure out where it came from. It's worth checking each zipper before you drop them off. Invest in some TSA locks, like this pack of four from Forge on Amazon for around $25. Lock each zipper to keep things where you put them. Keep any liquids out of the front pouches, and double protect them with this pantry item so they don't break or spill if the bag is thrown.

Tags are another item that can help keep your suitcase going to the right place. However, make sure your luggage tag is securely fastened and won't be ripped off by rough handling. You can also put a note with your email or phone number inside your bag, just in case (though make sure you use only an initial for your first name and leave off the street address for your own safety). Take off any baggage stickers from earlier flights (including the small one with the barcode), so your bag doesn't end up in the wrong city. If you're checking a stroller or car seat, wrap it in plastic and tuck in any straps that could get caught in machinery. Finally, you can save tons of space in your luggage with these game-changing packing hacks.