On Decommissioning a Suitcase

The suitcase has developed a terminal flaw. A wheel missing or a threadbare coat. It is now time to decommission the suitcase, and prepare it for new life as a storage box. Remove the airline luggage tags and stickers. The ones with your three-letter destination and the bright orange ones shouting"Priority". Toss the paper baggage tags- they rarely last more than one journey. Save the plastic baggage tags for your next suitcase- make sure the contact information is up-to-date. Take off the custom boonoggles that identify your bag from a hundred others on the airport carousel, including the ironic "remove before flight" lanyard. There will certainly be writing pens and change in the outside pockets. Save these for later. Check for cash and cards in the inside pockets. They have a propensity to get lost in there. Don't forget Saint Christopher's memento. Make sure he keeps travelling with you in future years.