Confiscated Items at the Airport
Have you ever wondered what happens to all the items that get confiscated at the airport security checkpoints? Everyday thousands of people have surrendered items to the security because they are not allowed on the planes. Well Transfer America has found out where all those items disappear to. An article on MSNBC questioned airlines where these confiscated items disappear to.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) detected approximately “50 million prohibited items, including 4,600 firearms, during airport checkpoint screening” since September 11, 2001.
Of the thousands of items TSA confiscates hazardous materials are “disposed of, and dangerous or illegal items such as guns and explosives are turned over to law enforcement”.
For other non-dangerous items, travelers are often given an option. TSA “offers passengers multiple options at the checkpoint for prohibited items that are less dangerous and not illegal. Passengers can return them to their cars, pack them in checked baggage, or at some airports, mail them home to themselves”.
Many times travelers end up just giving up their items at checkpoints and those items are donated to state governments to be auctioned off. However, not all airports have enough room to store all the confiscated items. Therefore, many airports fly pallets to other airports such as Pennsylvania Department of General Services. These items are then stored in a warehouse until they are auctioned off for revenue.
Airports Being Kid Friendly
One of the most annoying factors of airports is the security checkpoint. A lot of the time families are the ones holding up the line because they are required to strip their children of their shoes. However, earlier this year, as reported by MSNBC, Homeland Security announced that children under 13 will no longer be required to take off their shoes at the security check point.
As the children approach the security check point they will keep their shoes on while walking through the metal detector. Homeland Security also noted that they are allowing multiple passes through the metal detector. However, if anything is detected the children will be required to take off their shoes and undergo a pat-down.
Hopefully with the new changes security checkpoints will no longer take as long as they did before. If you’re not traveling this season due to a timeshare, be sure to contact Transfer America today.
Air Canada and Porter Airlines
After holiday deals are running rampant. For all those vacationers out there, Transfer America presents the 50% promo code from Air Canada and Porter Airlines. This promo code allows you to take 50% off of your next flight with Porter Airlines from now until April 30, 2012. When checking out just mention the code BOX50 and you will automatically receive 50% off. However, this deal is only good until January 6, 2012.
The same deal is given from Air Canada. When planning a route within Canada you can use the promo code PROMO26DEC11 or to travel to U.S. states use the code USPROMO26DEC11. This deal expires January 6, 2012 and can only be used until April 30, 2012.
Timeshare Mega Media Scam
While reading an article on Sun Sentinel, Transfer America discovered that thirteen employees at a timeshare resale firm admitted to committing fraud. These employees worked at Timeshare Mega Media and Marketing Group. While working there they constantly lied to clients, who wished to get rid of their timeshares, by convincing them that there were buyers already lined up to purchase their timeshare.
These employees would take thousands of dollars from these owners and told them that this ‘administrative fee’ would be refunded later. Some of these timeshare owners gave this company $10,000 dollars because they were so desperate to get out of their unwanted timeshares. However, it was soon discovered that there were no buyers. The authorities described this company as a ‘naked fraud’. Timeshare Mega Media was run by two convicted felons and according to the Federal Trade Commission, these two men stole about $5 million from timeshare owners in less than a year.
In July 2010, FBI agents raided the company office and arrested those responsible. The FTC then filed a lawsuit against Timeshare Mega Media. Though the prosecutors have just focused on the low-level employees about 15 have been arrested and 13 pled guilty to committing fraud. These employees are still awaiting sentencing. One of the other two employees recently died and the other cut a plea deal.
Traveling with Gifts this Christmas
When flying this season many are traveling to reunite with family members or simply for a holiday vacation. Though the airports will be packed this time of year, the overhead bins will be even more so. With hundreds of people traveling half way across the world, to make it before Christmas, you know they will be lugging their Christmas gifts with them. Transfer America offers travelers some tips on how to fly with gifts. An article on MSNBC describes several ways to do so without holding up the line for others.
One thing to always remember is not to bring any kind of liquids over 3.4 ounces in your carryon. Since 9/11 there have been several restrictions that were put in place to prevent any kinds of future complications. Therefore, if your gifts involve things such as cologne, jams, oils, or liquor be sure to place it into your checked luggage. On the other hand, foods such as pies and cakes can be taken onto the flight but they might be additionally screened.
In addition when flying with wrapped gifts make sure it does not set off any security alarms or red flags. Those that do will be searched by a security officer even if it is wrapped. They have the right to take apart the wrapping paper and look inside to identify the item in question. Therefore, when wrapping gifts and flying with them this season be sure to remember not to put any kind of weapons or liquids in your carryon or they will be confiscated at the security gate.
