Almost – almost – everyone knows they can’t board a plane with a firework, throwing star or axe tucked away in their carry-on luggage (though the latter two can travel in checked luggage).
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) lists the items that can and can’t be taken on a plane – it makes for interesting reading.
Many passengers, however, are unaware that everyday items like lighters and souvenirs, such as snow globes, are subject to confiscation by the TSA at airport security checkpoints.
Thanks to the forgetfulness – and ignorance – of passengers across the USA, the TSA ends up with an almost endless collection of knives, tools, sports equipment, jewellery and coats (like in our featured image by Inha Leex Hale).
It’s a little-known fact that the TSA passes the vast majority of seized and forgotten property to states, which in turn sell these items to the public in auctions and online – raising valuable funds in the process.
Good news then if you’re in the market for a second-hand pocketknife or belt – there are literally stacks of them available. And while the majority of items are pretty mundane, every now and then, a gem turns up at auction.
Each state has an agency responsible for selling surplus property. You can look up the name and address for your state’s agency on the National Association of State Agencies for Surplus Property website, which also has a printable list of all active agencies.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
