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.
