You’re peacefully strolling through duty free when you hear a crash and tumble, followed by the sound of a screaming child.
It’s another instance of a youngster flying around on a ride-on suitcase, gone wrong, again.
They have become a common sight in airports and there are several different types available to buy – from colourful numbers, personalisable kits and even options where a bag attaches to a scooter.
It’s not surprising that the playful take on suitcases is so popular with children, but it’s undeniable that they cause chaos at times.
Kids are frustratingly creative with how they use the pesky luggage – racing up and down terminal corridors, crashing into strangers’ ankles as they queue to board and pushing them before letting go and allowing them to wheel along freely at terrifying speeds.
Even parents are divided by the cases but one shared their particularly strong take on Reddit, declaring they ‘hate’ them.
‘We have had one for both children and I hate them with a passion and always hoped they’d forget they had them,’ they penned.
For the parent, the luggage makes navigating travel hubs more difficult and they explained, ‘They don’t make getting through an airport any easier, in fact I’d say that trying to drag a child behind you on an unstable device is harder.’
It’s not surprising that the playful take on cases are so popular with children, but it’s undeniable that they cause chaos for other travellers at times
Kids are frustratingly creative with how they use the pesky luggage – racing up and down airport corridors or crashing into strangers’ ankles as they queue to board
They also aren’t very practical for carrying things and they added: ‘The usable space inside it is pretty unhelpful and because they’re rigid they’re more of a faff to get things out of in the plane.
‘Compared to a small child-size rucksack for their snacks and entertainment and putting your child on your shoulders or pushchair they’re completely inferior.’
Another traveller echoed the size problem and highlighted they aren’t always that usable for children either.
They quipped: ‘My niece had one and it’s horrible, like hardly anything actually fits in them, they are bulky, over the restrictions for a few airlines and they aren’t the most stable for kids unless it’s perfectly flat ground.’
Someone else shared how their child even injured themselves using a ride-on case and said: ‘My son loves it but I wouldn’t call it ‘useful’, especially when he fell forward off it and smashed his face on the airport tiles.’
One family divided people on social media when they shared a clip of their children riding scooters through the airport.
Called @thehendrixtribe on Instagram, they penned ‘Yes, they’re the kids racing scooters through the terminal.. And yes – we’re the parents filming instead of stopping them!’
Opinions in the comments were split, and one person fumed, ‘Totally inappropriate. You let them run around under tables at restaurants, too?’
Someone else added: ‘Until they run into a geriatric who breaks a hip.’
But others defended the choice and one person said: ‘My son used to have a scooter case best thing we ever got him for traveling.’
Even parents are divided by the cases but one shared their particularly strong take on Reddit , declaring they ‘hate’ them (stock)
Travel blogger Anna Karsten has reviewed several ride-on luggage options for her children.
According to The Washington Post, she shared: ‘They’re super useful for walking around a new city. But at the airport, I feel like everyone will hate you for them.’
Another family of travel bloggers, @gooutsideandexplore on Instagram, described rolling luggage for children as the ‘quickest way to ruin a trip’.
They penned: ‘They’ll take those bags and slam into the shins of every stranger in sight, ride them like they’re going for 8 seconds in the rodeo, race them, fall, hit their lip on the moving walkway, and then cry like you didn’t warn them 18,000 times to NOT RIDE YOUR BAG IN THE AIRPORT!’
But, despite the ‘wild fits of rage’ the luggage might create, the family did find the rideable cases useful for one thing – when you might be ‘scrambling on a 20-minute layover’ and need to hurry for the flight.
‘You make the flight as the doors are closing, because apparently now your four-year-old can move at the speed of sound,’ they added.
But Lee Thompson, co-founder of solo group travel company Flash Pack, has travelled to over 100 countries and as a parent, tells the Daily Mail he can see ‘both sides’ of the ride-on luggage debate.
He says, ‘When I’m travelling solo, I’m in mission mode. I want to get through check-in, security and the terminal as quickly as possible.
‘Airports can already feel like Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo – people moving in every direction, bags everywhere, everyone slightly stressed.
‘In that environment, a child zig-zagging on a ride-on suitcase can feel like a small moving hazard. I’ve definitely come close to tripping over one or two in my time.’
Lee Thompson, co-founder of solo group travel company Flash Pack, has travelled to over 100 countries and as a parent, tells the Daily Mail he can see ‘both sides’ of the ride-on luggage debate
But, as a father to a seven-year-old, Lee can also ‘completely understand why parents use them’ and thinks they are acceptable if ‘used considerately’.
He says, ‘Airports are overwhelming for kids. If sitting on a suitcase keeps them calm, contained and even excited about the journey, that’s a win.’
The frequent traveller doesn’t agree with ride-on luggage being used in hectic airport spaces.
Lee explains, ‘The frustration comes when busy terminals turn into playgrounds. Ride-on luggage should be used in open spaces, not narrow walkways.
‘Children should get off in queues. And parents need to supervise closely. Airports are high-stress environments – not theme parks.’
Whether you’re a fan of the ride-on cases or not, airlines generally allow them to be taken on the plane – and Ryanair goes a step further.
Much to any scooter case hater’s dismay, the budget carrier permits children to take a Trunki onboard for free, even though it exceeds the small bag restrictions.
The website states, ‘Yes, children (2-11 years) are permitted to carry one Trunki case, which may exceed these dimension limits of the small bag (40 x 30 x 20 cm).
‘As well as Trunki cases, other brands with similar dimensions are also accepted on board. Lithium battery restrictions remain fully applicable.’
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