February 8, 2006
Where do items confiscated by TSA end up?
Have you ever wondered what happens to items confiscated by TSA at American airports? Sure things like mace get disposed of, but much of it ends up on Ebay! For example, Pennsylvania sold a 39-pound box containing 500 Swiss Army knives sold on eBay in 2004 for $595.00.
TSA makes no money, and state surplus property offices get first crack at the items (some are not interested, some states have no such office, and a few make good money selling the confiscated items). Unwanted items go to Science Application International,a contractor which collects and discards them under a five-year, $17 million government contract.
According to the article, this revenue stream may begin drying up:
Fliers can expect to surrender fewer scissors, nail clippers and tools this year. On Dec. 22, TSA started allowing passengers to carry through checkpoints scissors with a cutting edge of 4 inches or less, and tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers smaller than 7 inches.Posted by James Trotta at February 8, 2006 5:55 PM
Thanks for the tip. The bastards got my fingernail clippers, & small pocket knife with a less than 1 inch blade. Then locked my luggage with my cell phone inside. I was stuck with no way to open my bag. Overdone security really isn't helping to keep the shoe bombers at bay!
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More pearls of wisdom available at Fredville -
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I had a small bone handle pocket style knive with a personal carving by my grandfather taken at Denver. I was late and there was no way I could argue and I was also told I would be detained if I protested. As I was getting ready to leave I saw the man who took it from me put it in his pocket.... I could do nothing. Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely...
Posted by: dennis marshall at February 10, 2006 8:37 AM