Imagine setting off on the holiday you've always dreamed of. You've successfully made it through security at your idyllic destination and now stand by the airport carousel, eagerly anticipating the arrival of your luggage.

But as your suitcase appears, it's immediately apparent that it has suffered rough treatment. It's battered, possibly with a broken zip, and you dread to think what state your delicate items inside might be in. This is the kind of horror story no traveller wants to experience, yet there are steps you can take to minimise the chances of your baggage being manhandled.

A baggage handler took to Reddit to share some insights into their job, reports Devon Live.

The secret to keeping your luggage safe? It's all in the wheels.

Suitcases with two, or better yet four, working wheels can be smoothly rolled into the aircraft hold, safeguarding your valuables.

Bags without wheels often have to be tossed into the hold, which can lead to damage. The anonymous baggage handler confessed that bags with stuck wheels are their "absolute least favourite" to deal with.

They explained: "We try to roll it down, but it just falls over after moving six inches."

To ensure the safety of your items, they recommend investing in a good-quality suitcase with four fully functional wheels, a soft interior, and a sturdy exterior shell for added protection.

The handler admitted that fragile stickers are not as protective as passengers might think, and can sometimes even prompt rougher handling by staff. "Some of us are tempted to treat them worse, but we never do. Having a fragile tag doesn't really make a difference," he clarified.

As for the distance wheel-less bags can be thrown, the baggage handler disclosed the greatest length they had witnessed was "about five metres or so".