Deals on Airport Contraband

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Since 9/11, the TSA has collected tons of items at airport security checkpoints. What happens to all that stuff? Here's how to buy TSA contraband.

Since 9/11, the Transportation Security Administration has collected tons of items at security checkpoints; in 2006 alone, screeners took in more than 13 million items. What happens to all that stuff? The TSA turns it over to state surplus property agencies, which tend to sell it online or at retail stores. (Sometimes the contraband is sold in bulk.)

The agencies say they'll reunite you with your prized pocketknife, if they can locate it. But they would much prefer that travelers figure out the rules and abide by them. "Our goal is for passengers not to bring this stuff on anymore, so we won't have to deal with it," says Steve Ekin, Georgia's surplus property division director. Here's where to look, and what you might find.

Alabama

Airports: 14 in Florida and Alabama, including Miami, Orlando, Huntsville, and Birmingham

Where to buy: eBay (seller ID: alstatesurplus)

Typical deal: Golf driver $100

Craziest items? "There are always lots of plastic fake swords that people buy at Walt Disney World, so there are probably lots of mad kids."

Info: adeca.state.al.us/surplus%20property

Georgia

Airports: Atlanta, Savannah/Hilton Head

Where to buy: Stores in Tucker (Atlanta Surplus Center, 770/414-6468); Swainsboro (Swains­boro Surplus Center, 478/289-2623); and Americus (Americus Surplus Center, 229/931-2407)

Typical deal: Hammers $3, cordless drills $10

Craziest items? "We get flatware and kitchen knives stolen from restaurants, and we've received a bowling pin, a chain saw, and a few circular saws."

Info: surplusproperty.doas.georgia.gov

Illinois

Airports: Chicago O'Hare, Chicago Midway, and occasionally four more in Illinois and Michigan

Where to buy: Auctions held at ibid.illinois.gov

Typical deal: 25 pounds of Swiss Army knives for $250

Craziest items? "On occasion, we'll see big bowie knives and ninja swords. And nunchucks--a lot of those come through."

Kentucky

Airports: Eight in various states, including Orlando and Miami (Alabama shares the loot), and Louisville

Where to buy: eBay (seller ID: kysurplus)

Typical deal: 50 Swiss Army knives for $250

Craziest items? "We've collected about 500 mini Louisville Slugger bats bought at the Louisville Slugger Museum."

Info: finance.ky.gov/internal/surplus

Oregon

Airports: Portland and Eugene

Where to buy: eBay (seller ID: oregontrail2000)

Typical deal: 10 Leatherman multitools for $75

Craziest items? "Golf clubs and machetes."

Info: oregonsurplus.com

Pennsylvania

Airports: 13 from various states, including New York JFK, Newark, Philadelphia, and Cleveland

Where to buy: eBay (seller ID: pastatesurplus)

Typical deal: Deer-hunting kit (gut-slitting knife, multitool, pocket­knife, large safety pins, rope, flashlight) for $50

Craziest items? "We've received hundreds of pairs of fuzzy handcuffs and other ... paraphernalia--I wanted to create funny Valentine's Day kits, but folks here thought taxpayers wouldn't like it."

Info: dgs.state.pa.us/surp_prop

Texas

Airports: Seven across the state, including Dallas/Fort Worth and Austin

Where to buy: Austin Storefront in Austin, 512/463-1990

Typical deal: Scissors and corkscrews 25¢, knives 50¢, multitools $2.50

Craziest items? "Brass knuckles, crutches, and piñata sticks. And we once got a cane with a knife inside it."

Info: tfc.state.tx.us/communities/supportserv/prog/statesurplus

Washington State

Airports: Seattle-Tacoma, Spokane, and Tri-Cities

Where to buy: Auburn Retail Store in Auburn, 253/333-4912

Typical deal: Corkscrews for 25¢

Craziest items? "Lots of ulus--round Eskimo chopping blades. Also, a Sit'n Putt. It's a short-handled putter designed to be used while you're on the potty."

Info: ga.wa.gov/surplus