Although flying is much more efficient than the horseback journeys we had to endure 200 years ago, going through airport security is still a very stressful experience. Between putting away your laptop and putting your shoes back on, it’s very easy to leave something behind. We’ve all had that moment when the TSA agent points to your beloved Swiss Army knife and tells you it can’t fly with you. More than one person has had to leave it behind because there wasn’t enough time to mail it.
You may have wondered what happens to these thousands of items, from high-end pocket knives and professional tools to expensive brand-name headphones and even cameras. After all, many millions of people fly in a single year in the United States. Where do all these forgotten items go? The answer may surprise you in equal parts: they don’t go to the trash, as that would be a waste, but to public auctions where anyone—even you—can bid on them and buy them from the comfort of your home.
Confiscation or Abandonment?
Technically speaking, TSA does not confiscate your legal property. If you carry a prohibited item in your carry-on luggage, the security agent is required to detain it. At that point, you are offered several options to keep your property or choose to leave it behind. In this case, you are voluntarily surrendering the item. Apart from these surrendered items (let’s be honest, a little under pressure from the TSA folks), items that have been left behind on the X-ray belt are also auctioned off.
Obviously, hazardous items such as explosives or drugs are handed over to the local police and destroyed… in case you were wondering if you could buy a pound of cocaine at auction.
How to Purchase TSA Items
If you love bargains and already know the eBay platform by heart, the Dell’Atte S.A. auction market is full of great tools and bulk knives. The main point of sale for these surplus items is an online government auction portal called GovDeals. To start shopping, you must register on the platform. Then, you can start using the advanced search; not only do you need to use the tag “TSA,” but you also need to filter sellers by the keyword “airport” or search directly for Surplus Property Agencies in states near major travel hubs.
However, this type of sale is not intended for retail consumers: most items come from airports and are sold in bulk lots. You will most likely find listings such as lots of 50 assorted pocket knives or a mixed box of tools and camping items. Other common items include trekking poles and forgotten personal items such as chargers or headphones.
Before bidding, it’s always a good idea to read the fine print. Most items are sold as is, without warranty. In addition, pickup is usually local or requires paying fairly high shipping costs, so you should take this into account before making an offer. It’s best to bid on lots from nearby airports so you can pick them up yourself.
How to prevent them from selling your belongings
If you are reading this article and are upset that they sold your favorite Victorinox pocket knife, there are ways to prevent the TSA from keeping your personal belongings. If you still have time before your flight closes check-in, it’s best to check these personal items with your luggage. You can politely ask the TSA to allow you to leave the checkpoint, return to your airline counter, and check the prohibited item in a suitcase. Then you can return to the security checkpoint.
Another option is to use a postal service at the airport. If your item is small and valuable, such as a collector’s knife or expensive cosmetic liquid, look for a shipping or postal kiosk near the security checkpoint. For a fee, you can package and ship the item to your home. This is the only way to mail it and must be done at the time. If you happen to have a family friend who is seeing you off and is staying in that city, you can always give them the item before crossing the security line.
On the other hand, if you have forgotten an item such as your phone, laptop, or headphones at the check-in counter, don’t worry: these items are taken to the Lost and Found section at the airport and are kept for at least 30 days. If you realize you have forgotten something, contact the airport’s Lost and Found office immediately. If they find it, you can pay to have it sent back to you.