Did you wonder what the airport does with your pocket knife?

[CarolA]

And you wondered what the TSA did with that stuff.

From USAToday.com
Hey! Isn't that my circular saw?
Airports in California have begun to sell items they've confiscated at security checkpoints, and it's proving to be a lucrative endeavor. Under the screen name CaliforniaGold2000, the state already has sold 5,300 pocket knives and 350 pounds of scissors, plus hatchets, circular saws and a child's baton on eBay. Five of the state's airports currently participate in the program, and about $13,600 has been raised since the program started in November. San Francisco Chronicle

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Hope they put the funds to good use.

 

[hercamore]

Hmm, this is interesting!

Yes, I'm wondering where this money is going.

herc.

 

[bunnyfoo]

The Toronto Police have starting selling items on eBay too ... I think those are items that have been in the lost and found for a long time though...

 

[erikthewise]

I'll bet I could pick up a good set of nail clippers -- what was that site again?

 

[Timon]

FYI...

I am a pre-board screener in Calgary and in Canada, all confiscated items go to charity, one way or another. Here in Calgary, all items are packaged and brought to the Airport Church every day. The Church holds them until October/November when they have an auction. ALL proceeds go to charities.

Just remember, here and in most airports, you have the OPTION of mailing your prohibited item(s) to yourself. They are not automatically confiscated and we do NOT keep anything that is left with us. Passengers get upset with us when something they own is not allowed on a plane, yelling at us that they don't want US to have it! Just remember, WE do not make the rules, we only enforce them. If we do not heed these rules, we can get fired and or lose our Qualification. People still think it is absolutely ridiculous that we do not allow scissors/knives etc on the plane, but it is COMMON knowledge these days what should and should not be brought on a plane.

9/11 seems like a decade ago sometimes. I have printed out a picture of the twin towers on that horrible day and when passengers get all upset about losing their knives etc, I show them the picture and that seems to shut them up pretty quick.

Just remember, security is for YOUR sake. I know you hate to leave your favorite swiss army knife with security personnel but how would feel if you were 35,000 ft in the air and looked over at your fellow traveller as he/she pulled out THEIR favorite knife???

Happy, safe travelling!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Timon,
Wonderful post, thank you!!!!

Just remember, here and in most airports, you have the OPTION of mailing your prohibited item(s) to yourself. They are not automatically confiscated and we do NOT keep anything that is left with us. Passengers get upset with us when something they own is not allowed on a plane, yelling at us that they don't want US to have it! Just remember, WE do not make the rules, we only enforce them. If we do not heed these rules, we can get fired and or lose our Qualification. People still think it is absolutely ridiculous that we do not allow scissors/knives etc on the plane, but it is COMMON knowledge these days what should and should not be brought on a plane.

Yep, I ended up mailing my manicure scissors to myself. In my haste to pack I did a major brain fade and put my case with the scissors in my carryon (small under the seat bag) and did not even realize it UNTIL the really nice inspector showed them to me.
I was SO embarrassed!!!!! I asked what my options were and he told me there was a small (and I mean small) post office at the airport. He escorted me to the edge of the security area and was extreamly nice about it all. I thanked him for being so nice, and never once got angry (at anyone but myself for being so dumb). I was truly glad that they were spotted, it told me that the system does work and they are paying attention!!!!
You can BET that will not happen again.

 

[lilsonicfan]

That's a good story, Gail... I just came back from my trip and had forgotten to take my Swiss Army knife (just a small one) off my keychain for my return flight (I remembered for my departure!) and you know, if it was spotted, they let it go as no one asked me to take it out of my bag, etc.

Things that make you go hmm!

 

[songbert]

A friend of mine from work was flying to FL and, not thinking, packed her small needlework scissors in her carry-on bag. The security person gave her the option of paying to have them mailed to her at home. Don't recall what the price was, but she decided she could buy new ones

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Don't recall what the price was, but she decided she could buy new ones

The only option that post office had for something with a mailer was priority mail at 3.85. My two pair of scissors would cost WAY more than that to replace, so I opted to mail them.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I had no idea that you could have the option of mailing your items. I thought once you're caught with them, they'd get confiscated. Good to know!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Bunny,
When they found the scissors I asked what my options were, as they are expensive. The TSA gentleman told me I could leave them or mail them back or find someone who could send them to me. As I said before, this was a really nice person and very helpful.

 

[CarolA]

Keep in mind that not all airports have a post office. Ours does not.