Pipe Wrench

I got news for you people - don't try and carry a pipe wrench through airport security. They will and did confiscate my wrench I was trying to carry back for my project. Here's my complaint to TSA:

At about 12:30 yesterday afternoon I was going through airport security when I was stopped to have my bag searched because I had a suspect item. I was carrying a pipe wrench back for one of my projects I am working on as a Peace Corps volunteer in Jamaica. I was told that I could not carry it on the plane because it was too long, greater than 7-inches in length. I understand the concern - it could be used as a weapon. My complaint is not that they took the wrench from me, but in the way the matter was handled. They told me that I could either turn it over to them, or check my bag. Since I was not going to go back to the ticket counter, pay $30 and check a bag for an item that was donated to my project, I decided to give it to them. They then took the wrench and appeared to have thrown it in a trash can. Because of my displeasure of the situation and what seemed to be them "tossing" it in the trash I attempted to ask them further questions. Before I could even ask my question two women cut me off and said, "sir, you have already surrendered the item, there is nothing you can do about it." They were quite rude to me and wouldn't even let me ask my question. This was uncalled for. I was not trying to cause a problem. Because of their shortness and attitude, I'd like to ask the question now. What does TSA do with all the items that are confiscated? I am sure items including tooth paste, lipstick, contact solution, etc. are taken on a daily basis. I certainly hope they are not simply thrown in the garbage. There are many needy people and shelters that could use these items. I look forward to hearing your response.

And TSA's response:

Thank you for your e-mail to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regarding the retrieval of items abandoned at the security checkpoint.

These items are referred to as voluntarily abandoned property. Under U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) regulations, an item is deemed voluntarily abandoned if it is "abandoned to a Federal agency in such a manner as to vest title thereto in the United States." TSA does not seize or confiscate personal property from passengers. Unfortunately, there are no provisions for returning voluntarily abandoned property.

Federal agencies follow specific procedures when disposing of excess personal property, including voluntarily abandoned property. Excess personal property means any personal property under the control of any Federal agency that is no longer required for that agency's needs, as determined by the agency head or designee. In general, when a Federal agency determines that it has excess personal property it reports the excess to GSA, which then determines whether there are any Federal requirements for this property. If not, the property becomes surplus property and is available for donation to State and non-Federal activities. TSA does not sell voluntarily abandoned property. The law requires that surplus personal property be distributed to eligible recipients by an agency established by each State for this purpose, the State Agency for Surplus Property (SASP).

If the property has no commercial value or the estimated cost of its continued care and handling would exceed the estimated proceeds from its sale, it may be destroyed or donated to public bodies. A public body is "any department, agency, special purpose district, or other instrumentality of a State or local government." GSA, like other Federal entities, qualifies as a public body and, consequently, is eligible to receive voluntarily abandoned property via donation.

Public body recipients of donated property often sell the items through a variety of means. GSA generally sells this property at public auction. SASPs also sell property at public auction or through other activities, including eBay. Private individuals often purchase the voluntarily abandoned property at public auction and then resell it through eBay or other means.

For more information on contacting your local SASP representative, visit GSA's website at www.gsa.gov/sasp.

Furthermore, because your complaint is regarding screening at FLL, we have forwarded a copy of your email to the Customer Service Manager at that airport. The Customer Service Manager is responsible for ensuring that the screener workforce adheres to TSA principles for professional processing.

We monitor the number and nature of complaints we receive to track trends and spot areas of concern that may require special attention. This ongoing process will enable us to ensure prompt, corrective action whenever we determine that security-screening policies need modification or specific employees or screener teams are the subjects of repeated complaints.

Again, the TSA offers sincere apologies for the discomfort you experienced while traveling and encourage you to check the latest information at www.tsa.gov.

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