Standout suitcase

My suitcases are black, just like everyone else’s, but in 29 years of globetrotting I have never lost a piece of luggage.

My secret? I go to a fabric store and buy tubes of fluorescent paint, the kind used to paint designs on T-shirts. My current colors are hot pink and bright yellow-green.

On each of the six sides of the suitcase I paint a simple design: a sun with the center circle in yellow-green and the rays hot pink. I make it eight inches or so across on the wider surfaces and four inches on the smaller sides.

Whenever I walk through the airport with my wheeled carry-on, I get big smiles and comments such as “Good idea!” and “Like your suitcase!” When I check my bag, the agent often says, “We won’t lose this one!” And no one ever has.

If you try this, please use different colors and designs than I do. (Hearts and flowers? Stars and moons? Happy faces?) I’ll be looking for you at the airport!

SANDY LAWRENCE

El Sobrante, CA