In previous blogs I’ve written about where lost pieces of airline luggage go when they are separated (sometimes permanently) from their owners. But, have you ever wondered where all those prohibited carry-on items go to rest after airport security screeners confiscate them?
Would you believe New Hampshire?
A good portion of the “suspicious items” collected at New England airports get sent to a warehouse in New Hampshire. Everything from baseball bats, screwdrivers and wrenches to rocks, razor blades and pocketknives. More than two tons of abandoned items have been collected in the last 10 months.
According to the Transportation Security Administration, the state of New Hampshire is the collection area for the ever-accumulating treasure-trove of miscellaneous items that air travelers are forced to surrender at security checkpoints. The state collects the items and auctions them off at its surplus store. New Hampshire lawmakers say the agreement between the TSA and the state is a win-win situation. Granite State residents apparently love the deals, the state gets to pocket the profits, and the TSA saves money because prior to securing the agreement with New Hampshire it had to pay big bucks for the items to be hauled to a foundry in Massachusetts.
A New Hampshire state official recently revealed to news reporters that the pocketknives, auctioned off for $1 to $2 each are among the top-sellers. Other items the state has been able to successfully auction off include a stick of bamboo, free weights, and cologne kept in a grenade-shaped bottle. Other popular “illegal” paraphernalia picked up by auction bidders include Boston Red Sox bats. According to TSA agents, fans try to hand carry the souvenir sporting equipment through security scanners not realizing that the items are banned because they are considered weapons.
A word of warning–if you are looking to pick up some of the confiscated material don’t come ready to bid on liquid items. According to state officials, liquid and chemical items prohibited by security are disposed of separately through a hazardous material company.
Related Articles:
The New and “Improved” Carry On Rules
A New Option For Those Traveling With Banned Liquids