PA sells items confiscated at airport (chain saws, sex toys, etc.) on eBay

[Human Torch]

Confiscated Airport Items Bring Cash
The Army Knife You Gave Up In Philly? Good Change You'll Find It On eBay

HARRISBURG, Pa., August 12, 2006

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/08/12/national/main1890143.shtml

(CBS/AP) A man-sized artificial palm tree and a sausage grinder have shared space in a state government warehouse with piles of Swiss Army knives and chain saws — just a few of the things travelers have had to give up at airport security checkpoints. Pennsylvania turns a small profit by disposing of these castoff items, which it accepts from security contractors at 12 airports in five states, by selling them to the highest bidders at the online auction site eBay.

And what about the abundance of liquids and gels discarded since the alleged British terror plot caused U.S. airports to prohibit them? Edward Myslewicz, a spokesman for the General Services Department told the Seattle Times that state officials are considering selling some of those items too.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has perhaps the most charitable approach. Airport spokeswoman Lexie Van Haren told the Seattle Times it plans to give 11 boxes of surrendered items to the city's human-services department, which will distribute items to homeless shelters.

Airport officials are still finding their way with these new items. Up to now, most of the contraband merchandise has been knives, nail clippers and cuticle scissors that were forbidden as carry-on items following the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. But at the Pennsylvania collection center, there's also Wiffle Ball bats, frosting-encrusted wedding cake servers, sex toys and a couple of chain saws. There's even a box full of blenders.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. So riddle me this...

If the big whoop-dee-doo was all about chemicals that blow up if you mix them together, why are these TSA knuckleheads confiscating passengers' unidentified liquids and throwing them all together in trash cans?

[notadmblnd]

2. why on earth would didlos be conficasted?

better yet, why would anyone want to buy a used one?

[Human Torch]

3. Your second question is my favorite...

Why indeed?

:rofl:

:patriot:

[Sapphocrat]

4. Sex toys. Hmm.

I can just imagine a hijacker taking over an airplane with a pinky-cheater.

"Nobody move, or I'll pleasure you all to death!"

[foreigncorrespondent]

8. ROFLMAO (n/t)

[tocqueville]

5. does that mean that O'Reilly is grounded ?

or are falafels OK ?

[msongs]

6. a government run extortion racket - nt

[jmowreader]

7. Sex toys aren't what I'm worried about

The real question is, why would anyone attempt to bring a CHAIN SAW as a carry-on item?

I mean, come on. Not only is it the favored weapon of slasher-movie villains and "Running Man" stalkers, and not only is it a tool that can open a locked cockpit door, a chain saw won't fit under the seat in front of you. AND...they contain gasoline, a flammable item not permitted in the cabin of an airliner.

You couldn't have carried your chain saw on board before Bush invented terrorism; why in hell would someone think they could do it now?

OTOH, you'd think the nice young lady at the ticket desk would tell you your saw had to be transported as checked baggage. It's not like you can hide this object under your jacket.

[Warren DeMontague]

10. THE SIGN DID NOT SPECIFICALLY SAY "NO CHAIN SAWS", SIR.

[Warren DeMontague]

9. Second hand sex toys? Is that sanitary?

I mean, I'm not a medical man.. but I would think that might be one area where you wouldn't want to go the garage sale route.