The TSA Made $765,000 From Your Loose Change in 2015

[WhiteTara]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/tsa-made-765-000-loose-202000177.html?nhp=1

When you throw your loose change in a plastic bin during an airport security screening, did you know that the Transportation Security Administration is using it to line its own pockets?

Though "finders, keepers" isn't a law that's technically enshrined in the constitution, members of the agency have apparently been deferring to the rule for years to keep the coins they inherit on the job. And it's completely legal — a 2013 law passed by Congress enables the TSA financial office to keep the change, as long as it doesn't go directly to individual officers.

So far, the policy has served them well: The TSA said that it netted $765,759.15 in 2015 alone, mostly from forgotten coins.

There are currently more than 19,000 airports in the United States, according to the Department of Transportation, a number which makes the chunk of change seem a bit smaller, all things considered.

But as the rate of air travel in the United States continues to rise, so does the amount of cash abandoned in security lines. The number of domestic and international flights totaled 894,376, 146 in 2015, up from 851,482,663 flights in 2014.

[Warren DeMontague]

1. And a fortune in dryer lint, too, no doubt

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

2. That's the amount actually reported.

We'll never know how much was simply pocketed.

[villager]

3. Feckless security (and "compliance") theater has allowed them thrive... nt

[petronius]

4. The article sorta makes it sound like a problem, or something skeevy, but

what are they supposed to do?

"ATTENTION IN THE TERMINAL! ATTENTION IN THE TERMINAL! Would the passenger who left three dimes, a nickel, and four pennies at Checkpoint 3 please return to the checkpoint to reclaim your lost items!"

[jberryhill]

5. Oh, I thought it was for tips

I always see the person ahead of me put change in it, so I toss in a buck now and then.

[GummyBearz]

6. Damnit that is where I lost it all

I couldn't figure out where I lost all my change. Is there a way to file to get back lost property from the previous year? I flew from Boston and landed in San Diego missing exactly $765,759.15 :p

[Takket]

7. as long as they recycle it into the operatig budget of TSA, i see no problem with this

[Jeffersons Ghost]

8. Tip your TSA agent!

They probably also accept "tips" on smugglers.