TSA: Keep the change: $869,000 left behind by travelers
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. November 24 2018 The Thanksgiving holiday is in full swing as Americans rush through security checkpoints to get to their destinations.
Travelers have to take off their belts and shoes, and put their phones, wallets and change in those little baskets, all while keeping an eye on the clock so they don’t miss their flights.
In the rush past the X-ray machines, pat downs and wand searches, it may surprise you on how much gets left behind.
The Transportation Security Administration said travelers left nearly $1 million behind at security checkpoints last year.
This year’s numbers are still being tallied, but in 2017 passengers forgot to pick up more than $869,000 in change, the TSA said. It amounts to 86,000 basic Netflix subscriptions, 10,000 TSA Pre Check memberships, or 86 million pennies.
The TSA said the airport that collected the most loose change is Los Angeles International Airport where TSA workers scooped up more than $62,000.
The unclaimed cash is eventually used to improve airport security operations, the TSA said.
TSA says the best way to keep track of your change is to put it in a zip top plastic bag and keep it in your carry-on bag for screening.
CBS12
