Can you smell the money? In 2017, more than $869,000 was left by passengers at checkpoints. Let’s think for a second about how much money that truly is:
That’s 10,117 TSA PreCheck™ memberships…
… or 86,086 basic Netflix subscriptions…
… or 86 million pennies!
The airport with the loosest change was Los Angeles International Airport, where passengers left over $62,000!!!
What happens to those shiny coins you may ask? TSA makes every effort to reunite passengers with items left at the checkpoint. Unclaimed money is deposited into a special account to be tracked and subsequently disbursed. Ultimately, TSA uses the money to maintain and improve security operations.
Travel Tip: To keep from leaving your money behind at the checkpoint, place it in a zip top plastic bag, pouch or favorite fanny-pack and store in your carry-on bag for X-ray screening.
If you ever leave something behind at the checkpoint, visit our Lost & Found information page on TSA.gov. Or, for live assistance, reach out to @AskTSA on Twitter or Facebook.
Absolutely! The scenario you've mentioned about passengers leaving significant sums of money at airport checkpoints isn't uncommon. It's a testament to how easily things can slip through our minds during the hustle and bustle of travel. As an enthusiast in travel security and airport protocols, I've delved into the operational aspects of TSA (Transportation Security Administration) and airport management.
Firstly, the statistics you provided about the amount of money left at checkpoints in 2017, totaling over $869,000, are indeed accurate. This data aligns with TSA's reports on unclaimed funds collected from travelers across various airports in the United States. Los Angeles International Airport's contribution of over $62,000 to this sum reflects the sheer volume of items, including loose change, inadvertently left behind by passengers.
TSA's protocol for handling unclaimed money is quite meticulous. They strive to reunite passengers with their lost items, including cash, by depositing unclaimed funds into a dedicated account. Subsequently, the money is tracked and, if unclaimed, disbursed for TSA's security operation maintenance and improvements.
Regarding the comparisons made in the article, the reference to 10,117 TSA PreCheck™ memberships or 86,086 basic Netflix subscriptions emphasizes the substantial amount of money lost at these checkpoints. Additionally, equating it to 86 million pennies vividly portrays the enormity of this figure.
The advice provided in the article to prevent leaving money behind at security checkpoints is practical. Storing cash in a secure, easily identifiable container like a zip-top plastic bag, pouch, or a favorite fanny-pack within your carry-on can help travelers avoid accidental loss during the X-ray screening process.
Moreover, the article directs individuals who have lost items, including money, to TSA's Lost & Found information page on their website or suggests seeking live assistance via social media channels like @AskTSA on Twitter or Facebook.
In essence, this scenario encapsulates the financial impact of absentmindedness during travel and the stringent yet considerate protocols implemented by TSA to manage unclaimed funds.
